Amateur-built 601HDS accident near Waller, Texas, January 26, 2021
On January 26, 2021 at about 9:30 pm local time, a 1995 amateur-built 601HDS, registered N444PZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Waller, Texas (Skydive Houston airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to a disconnected fuel line, which resulted in fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 26, 2021 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Waller, Texas · Skydive Houston · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built 601HDS, built 1995
- Registration
- N444PZ · no longer on the register · serial 63125
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Fuel starvation during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Not installed/available
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,502 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 1,406 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 11, 2018
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 626 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, November 20, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912UL (piston); 513 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 37XA Waller TX at 3:25 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 3,030 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.83 inHg
- Observation at 3:15 pm from KTME, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on May 10, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Accident Photos | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Examination Summary | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.