Amateur-built Zenith-STOL CH801 accident near Gallman, Mississippi, June 2, 2009
On June 2, 2009 at about 8:55 pm local time, a amateur-built Zenith-STOL CH801, registered N1399X, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Gallman, Mississippi (Copiah County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the flightcrew's improper fuel management.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 2, 2009 · about 8:55 pm local time
- Place
- Gallman, Mississippi · Copiah County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Zenith-STOL CH801
- Registration
- N1399X · no longer on the register · serial 8-4399
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After maintenance was performed that required the draining of the fuel tanks and removal and reinstallation of the right wing, the pilot-rated mechanics performed a test flight of the accident airplane in the airport traffic pattern. While turning from the base leg onto final approach for the runway, the airplane experienced a total loss of power. The pilot made a right turn in the direction of a field; the airplane then struck trees and impacted terrain in a nearly flat, inverted attitude. A postcrash fire then ensued. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact malfunctions of the engine or airplane. During examination of the fuel system it was revealed that the fuel system consisted of four fuel tanks, each with a single fuel outlet located at the lower rear corner of the fuel tank. Further examination of the fuel system and the existing burn patterns from the postcrash fire also revealed that the right main fuel tank and the left auxiliary fuel tank had contained little or no fuel in them prior to the accident. The lack of fuel in the right main fuel tank and the location of the fuel outlet, in combination with the airplane's nose-low attitude during descent to the runway and the left bank required to turn from the base to final leg of the traffic pattern, likely resulted in air entering the fuel system from the empty or nearly empty right main fuel tank.
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
- Fuel starvation during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,670 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 240 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A-350-C1 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: M11 Gallman MS at 8:54 pm
- Destination: M11 Gallman MS
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 17, 3,000 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from HKS, 27 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.