Amateur-built Zodiac CH601 accident near Columbia, Illinois, December 8, 2024
On December 8, 2024 at about 6:10 pm local time, a 2007 amateur-built Zodiac CH601, registered N9853M, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Columbia, Illinois. It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to secure the engine oil filter following maintenance, which resulted in oil starvation, a total loss of engine power, and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 8, 2024 · about 6:10 pm local time
- Place
- Columbia, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Zodiac CH601, built 2007
- Registration
- N9853M · registry record · serial 6-3624
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he had changed the engine oil pressure sender due to faulty readings, and the accident flight was a post-maintenance test flight. Shortly after takeoff, he observed smoke in the cockpit and smelled burning oil. The engine lost total power and the cabin filled with smoke. He opened the airplane’s canopy in an attempt to dissipate the smoke, but then discovered that he was unable to control the airplane. The airplane impacted the ground as the pilot was attempting to return to the airport and was subsequently consumed by a postimpact fire. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed several holes in the engine case and oil pan that corresponded with a damaged piston assembly, along with thermal damage of the oil pan and case. The No. 3 cylinder connecting rod was found separated from the engine in the debris field, and the connecting rod journal was black and wiped, consistent with oil starvation. The oil filter was ¼ turn from fully loose and was easily rotated and removed by hand. The loose engine oil filter and failed connecting rod that exhibited signatures of oil starvation suggest that the pilot failed to properly tighten the engine oil filter after draining and replacing the engine oil after replacing the pressure sender. This resulted in an inflight engine oil leak, smoke entering the cockpit, and the total loss of engine power due to oil 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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during initial climb
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern downwind)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern downwind)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Replacement › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Eng oil sys (airframe furnish) › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 594 hours in all; 551 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 6, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: unk
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Aeromomentum AM15H (piston); 354 hours total
- Fire in flight and on the ground
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 9 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from KCPS, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCPS 081753Z 21009G16KT 10SM BKN065 OVC080 15/07 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP125 T01500072 10156 20056 58022
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN25FA056.