Zenair CH 601UL Zodiac, G-BZFV, 15 June 2013

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 10 December 2014

• Category: Sport aviation and balloons
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 15 June 2013
• Aircraft type: Zenair CH 601UL Zodiac
• Location: Glebe Farm, Sibson, Leicestershire
• Registration: G-BZFV

Zenair CH 601UL Zodiac, G-BZFV

Summary:

The pilot noticed a vibration through the airframe just after takeoff from a private grass strip. This was followed by a ‘thud’, a slight displacement of the engine cowling and a loss of engine power. The pilot made a forced landing in a wheat field, during which the nose and left landing gear collapsed, and the firewall and both wings were damaged. The power loss was initiated by the failure and detachment of one of the composite propeller blades, resulting in vibration which caused the carburettors to separate from the engine. The detached propeller blade had suffered a structural failure due to a high cycle oscillation about the blade pitch axis which was caused by a missing component within the coarse pitch stop assembly.

Download report:

Zenair CH 601UL Zodiac, G-BZFV 12-13.pdf (228.03 kb)

Published 10 December 2014