Frew Zodiac 601XL accident near Oxford, Mississippi, June 18, 2007
On June 18, 2007 at about 1:55 pm local time, a Frew Zodiac 601XL, registered N20370, was substantially damaged in an accident near Oxford, Mississippi. It was a ferry 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 loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 18, 2007 · about 1:55 pm local time
- Place
- Oxford, Mississippi · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Frew Zodiac 601XL
- Registration
- N20370 · no longer on the register · serial 5185
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 250-hour private pilot was on a 234-mile cross-country flight when the engine of his recently purchased experimental airplane lost power. The pilot attempted to restore engine power, but was not successful. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with trees on the crest of a hill and slid to the ground. The pilot was unable to egress from the airplane until rescuers found him 2 days after the accident. The pilot reported that he purchased the airplane the day prior to the accident flight, and had test flown the airplane for 0.7 hours. The pilot operated the aircraft's engine at "full throttle" during the test flight. The pilot calculated a fuel consumption of 6 gallons per hour at full power and planned the cross-country flight accordingly. A review of a engine operator's manual showed a fuel consumption rate of 6 gallons per hour at about the 66% rated power setting. Per the manual and at full throttle, the engine could have consumed as much as 10.6 gallons per hour. A post-accident inspection of the engine and airframe was conducted. The airplane fuel tanks were ruptured and no fuel was found in the fuel lines and no fuel stains were found on the aircraft's exterior. The total fuel capacity of the airplane was established at 24 gallons. All components of the engine were inspected and no discrepancies were noted. According to the airplane's "Hobbs" meter, the airframe had accumulated a total of 12.9 hours. The reason for the reported loss of engine power was not determined.
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: private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 250 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: March 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12.9 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SCD Sylacauga AL
- Destination: HEE Helena AR
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: ovct at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from TUP, 37 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.