Zenair Zodiac 601HDS N444PZ

Summary

On 26 January 2021 at about 21:30 local time, a Zenair Zodiac 601HDS registered N444PZ was involved in an accident near Waller, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 January 2021 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Waller, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Skydive Houston (37XA)

Coordinates

29.9928, -95.9305

Aircraft

Zenair Zodiac 601HDS

Registration

N444PZ

Category

Airplane

Year built

1995

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Waller → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN21LA117

1 person was seriously injured.

The total loss of engine power due to a disconnected fuel line, which resulted in fuel starvation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the preflight run-up and takeoff were normal, and the engine operated normally during the initial takeoff climb. However, about 150 to 200 ft above ground level, the pilot heard two “pops,” and the engine lost power. He executed a forced landing to an open field. Postaccident examination revealed that the fuel line at the engine-driven (mechanical) fuel pump inlet was separated from the pump fitting. Examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies with respect to the engine assembly or the reduction gearbox. However, minimal fuel (one drop) was found in the fuel pump, and no fuel was found in either carburetor bowl. It is likely that the fuel line at the engine-driven pump was not fully secured and became disconnected during the accident flight, which resulted in fuel starvation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.