Amateur-built ZODIAC 601XL accident near Enochville, North Carolina, July 24, 2010
On July 24, 2010 at about 4:32 pm local time, a amateur-built ZODIAC 601XL, registered N601CX, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Enochville, North Carolina (Farrell James Airfield). 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
Loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight of the fuel system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 24, 2010 · about 4:32 pm local time
- Place
- Enochville, North Carolina · Farrell James Airfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ZODIAC 601XL
- Registration
- N601CX · registry record · serial 6-4842
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff the engine lost power. He performed a forced landing into a wooded area and the airplane came to rest inverted. Examination of the fuel system found water in the fuel line between the engine driven fuel pump, the carburetor, and the fuel strainer. With the exception of the water in the fuel, no additional evidence of any other preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction was found. Had the pilot checked the fuel before flight, he likely would have noted the presence of water and should have drained it.
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 contamination during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,467 hours in all; 250 in this make and model; 42 in the last 90 days; 5,359 as pilot in command; 2,738 on instruments
- Last flight review: February 22, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 194 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, March 10, 2010; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Enochville NC at 4:30 pm
- Destination: PVT Kannapolis NC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 4:40 pm from RUQ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.