Amateur-built ZODIAC CH-650 accident near Willow Springs, Missouri, December 8, 2019
On December 8, 2019 at about 9:15 pm local time, a 2012 amateur-built ZODIAC CH-650, registered N914AR, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Willow Springs, Missouri (Willow Springs Memorial airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Improper maintenance practices on the fuel system causing fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 8, 2019 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Willow Springs, Missouri · Willow Springs Memorial · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ZODIAC CH-650 No Series, built 2012
- Registration
- N914AR · no longer on the register · serial 65-7533
- 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 of the experimental, amateur-built airplane, he was taking the airplane out for a test flight after making some adjustments to the propeller blade angles. During the initial climb, the engine lost power, restarted on its own and lost power again. The pilot turned back to the airport, but the airplane could not reach the runway and he conducted a forced landing off-field, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a certified mechanic revealed that the fuel pump was weak on pressure and the electric fuel pump was installed incorrectly between the engine driven pump and the carburetor. The fuel flow meter was installed using pipe fittings connected to flare fittings. All fittings were finger tight. These discrepancies were consistent with improper maintenance practices on the fuel system and likely resulted in a reduction in fuel flow during the initial climb after takeoff, and a loss of engine power due to fuel 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
- Fuel starvation during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Misc hardware › Hoses and tubes › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Maintenance personnel
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel pumps › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 14,461 hours in all; 8.6 in this make and model; 3.9 in the last 90 days; 3.9 in the last 30 days; 9,701 as pilot in command; 4,586 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 5, 2019
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8.6 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 28, 2017; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,657 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 290-D (piston); 2,323 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1H5 Willow Springs MO at 9:20 pm
- Destination: 1H5 Willow Springs MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 3,502 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 700 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KUNO, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on August 15, 2022. 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, 5 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Mechanic Email - Engine Examination | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot Logbook (Excerpt) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Investigative Photo's | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N914AR the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.