Zenith ZODIAC 650B N452VC

Summary

On 12 July 2022 at about 15:00 local time, a Zenith ZODIAC 650B registered N452VC was involved in an accident near Eufaula, Oklahoma, United States. 2 people were 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

12 July 2022 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Eufaula, Oklahoma, United States

Coordinates

35.2828, -95.5899

Aircraft

Zenith ZODIAC 650B

Registration

N452VC

Category

Airplane

Year built

2015

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN22LA315

Nobody was injured.

The loss of engine power due to a push rod that was incorrectly installed by the airplane owner.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilots, who were both owners and builders of the airplane, while maneuvering during a local flight, the engine began to run rough. The engine power continued to decrease until they could not maintain altitude. Unable to reach a nearby airport, the pilot flying elected to perform an off-airport emergency landing. During the landing, the airplane impacted uneven terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed the No. 5 cylinder exhaust valve rocker arm attach stud/bolt had failed. About 5 flight hours before the accident, the owners had replaced the No. 5 cylinder exhaust valve, which included the removal and reinstallation of the rocker arm hardware. The push rod contained an oil passage hole on one end that allowed for lubrication of the rocker arm, and the other end did not contain an oil passage. According to the owner, during the installation he incorrectly installed the push rod in a backward position. The incorrect installation did not allow lubrication to reach the rocker arm, causing it to fail.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.