Woodley ZODIAC 601HD N9240W

Summary

On 18 April 2002 at about 21:15 local time, a Woodley ZODIAC 601HD registered N9240W was involved in an accident near Beaver, Oregon, 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

18 April 2002 at 21:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Beaver, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

45.2694, -123.7097

Aircraft

Woodley ZODIAC 601HD

Registration

N9240W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Independence → Tillamook

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA02LA069

Nobody was injured.

A partial failure of the electrical (ignition) system and a short to the master electrical switch during cruise flight resulting in a loss of engine power. A collision with an embankment during the landing roll was a factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, the engine sounded different like it dropped a few rpm's. The pilot applied carburetor heat which didn't help. The pilot then checked one side of the dual ignition system and found that one side was inoperative. The engine continued to run for a few more minutes, then quit. The pilot tried to restart the engine by cranking the starter, applying boost pump, primer and the emergency 12-volt ignition system. The engine would not start and the pilot set-up for a landing on a highway. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with an embankment. During the post-accident engine run and inspection, it was noted that the engine had been modified since it left the manufacturer. Further inspection of the engine identified that ignition A (right side) revealed an open circuit with a defective sensor. It was also found that the alternate 12 VDC source switch in the on position shorted the master. The engine would not start if the alternate 12-VDC switch was in the on position.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.