Amateur-built Zodiac CH 601 HDS accident near Thomson, Georgia, June 16, 2003
On June 16, 2003 at about 1:27 pm local time, a amateur-built Zodiac CH 601 HDS, registered N721PT, was substantially damaged in an accident near Thomson, Georgia (Thomson Mcduffie County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of the No. 3 cylinder intake valve, which resulted in a forced landing to rough terrain and subsequent collision with small trees and a tree stump.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 2003 · about 1:27 pm local time
- Place
- Thomson, Georgia · Thomson Mcduffie County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Zodiac CH 601 HDS
- Registration
- N721PT · registry record · serial 63423
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight, the engine began to run rough and lose power, then it stopped completely. The pilot executed an emergency landing in a field, and the airplane collided with small trees and a tree stump. Examination of the engine revealed the intake valve on the No. 3 cylinder was fractured in the transition region between the stem and the head with no bending deformation. Metallurgical examination revealed the lock for the spring seat displayed fretting damage at the internal and external faces. Fretting damage was observed on the corresponding surface of the stem portion of the valve and on the corresponding bore face of the spring seat. The fretting damage was characteristic of higher than normal operating stresses or vibration and fatigue.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,100 hours in all; 80 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days; 1,050 as pilot in command; 700 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 26, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 79.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 6, 2003; 1.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Stratus EA-81 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RYY Marietta GA at 12:15 pm
- Destination: HQU Thomson GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from KDNL, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.