Amateur-built CH701 accident near Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, October 15, 2016
On October 15, 2016 at about 7:40 pm local time, a 2010 amateur-built CH701, registered N3701M, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (descent) near Albrightsville, Pennsylvania. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 15, 2016 · about 7:40 pm local time
- Place
- Albrightsville, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CH701 NO SERIES, built 2010
- Registration
- N3701M · registry record · serial 7038
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that the airplane had been flying uneventfully for about 40 minutes when it lurched and the engine experienced a partial, then total, loss of power. He placed the carburetor heat control to the high setting and established the airplane's best glide airspeed. The pilot then attempted to restart the engine. Although it initially started, the engine would not develop power and shut down after a few seconds. Two additional restart attempts were also unsuccessful, and the pilot subsequently performed a forced landing into trees. Postaccident examinations of the airframe and engine, which included an engine test run, did not reveal evidence of preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions, and there was sufficient fuel onboard at the time of the accident. Although the weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power, the engine was operating at a cruise power setting at the time of the power loss and the pilot applied carburetor heat at the first indication of a problem, which did not restore engine power. Therefore, the investigation was unable to determine the reason for the total loss of engine power.
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 enroute (descent) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 530 hours in all; 56 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 403 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 4, 2015
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 65 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 18, 2016; 65 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 3300 (piston); 65 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PA40 Benton PA at 6:54 pm
- Destination: 50PA Stroudsburg PA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.34 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from MPO, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on June 14, 2018. 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's Written Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record - NTSB Engine Examination | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 - Carburetor Icing Prevention | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Electronic Devices Factual Report | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Attachment 1 to Electronic Devices Factual Report | data file | Download |
| 9 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 3 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.
