Amateur-built Zodiac 601HD accident near Beaver, Oregon, April 18, 2002
On April 18, 2002 at about 9:15 pm local time, a amateur-built Zodiac 601HD, registered N9240W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Beaver, Oregon. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial failure of the electrical (ignition) system and a short to the master electrical switch during cruise flight resulting in a loss of engine power. A collision with an embankment during the landing roll was a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 18, 2002 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Beaver, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Zodiac 601HD
- Registration
- N9240W · no longer on the register · serial 6-3393
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, the engine sounded different like it dropped a few rpm's. The pilot applied carburetor heat which didn't help. The pilot then checked one side of the dual ignition system and found that one side was inoperative. The engine continued to run for a few more minutes, then quit. The pilot tried to restart the engine by cranking the starter, applying boost pump, primer and the emergency 12-volt ignition system. The engine would not start and the pilot set-up for a landing on a highway. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with an embankment. During the post-accident engine run and inspection, it was noted that the engine had been modified since it left the manufacturer. Further inspection of the engine identified that ignition A (right side) revealed an open circuit with a defective sensor. It was also found that the alternate 12 VDC source switch in the on position shorted the master. The engine would not start if the alternate 12-VDC switch was in the on position.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 20,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 79.7 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 15, 2001; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,250 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Nsi EA81-981 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 7S5 Independence WA at 8:40 pm
- Destination: S47 Tillamook OR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.45 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from AST, 55 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.