Lawrence O Nolte ZODIAC CH650B N650LN

Summary

On 2 July 2017 at about 17:25 local time, a Lawrence O Nolte ZODIAC CH650B registered N650LN was involved in an accident near Dover, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 July 2017 at 17:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Dover, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Lazy B Ranch (0P8)

Coordinates

40.0225, -76.8167

Aircraft

Lawrence O Nolte ZODIAC CH650B

Registration

N650LN

Category

Airplane

Year built

2016

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Dover → Dover

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA17TA233

Nobody was injured.

A total loss of engine power as a result of the loss of all electric fuel pumps due to a loss of electric power because of the installation of an improper battery on the airplane and the use of improper charging cables on the battery.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The accident flight was the first flight of the Phase 1 test period for the experimental amateur-built airplane. The private pilot stated that, during the flight, while on the crosswind leg of the airport traffic pattern, the engine experienced a total loss of power and that he noted that there was no fuel pressure indication or electrical system charge. He unsuccessfully attempted to restart the engine with the secondary electric fuel pump and then maneuvered to land the airplane. The pilot reported that the airplane touched down longer and faster than "normal due to a no flap condition" and that the airplane overran the runway, impacted a fence, and came to rest on its nose. The engine mounts and fuselage were substantially damaged. According to the pilot, the total loss of engine power resulted from an electrical problem due to the use of a lithium motorcycle battery on the airplane, which was not designed for such use, and to his attempt to charge the battery with a charger that was specifically not recommended for use on lithium batteries. The pilot reported that this likely resulted in the battery having a "low charge" at the beginning of the flight. When the alternator subsequently attempted to recharge the battery during the flight, it overheated the battery, which then shut down and resulted in a loss of electrical power and the subsequent loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.