Amateur-built CH 601 HD accident near Goldendale, Washington, August 26, 2017
On August 26, 2017 at about 3:15 pm local time, a 2004 amateur-built CH 601 HD, registered N9066F, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Goldendale, Washington (Goldendale airport). 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 total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 2017 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Goldendale, Washington · Goldendale · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CH 601 HD HD, built 2004
- Registration
- N9066F · no longer on the register · serial 6-4188
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The day before the accident, the pilot identified contaminated fuel. He de-fueled the airplane, refueled it with 100 low-lead aviation fuel, and then extensively ground run the engine with no issues noted. The day of the accident, he performed another ground run, shut down the engine and checked for leaks, and then prepared for the accident flight. About 75 ft above ground level during the initial climb, the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing to rocky, uneven terrain, during which the left wing sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine and did not find any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.
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 takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,743 hours in all; 272 in this make and model
- Last flight review: March 16, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 226 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, November 5, 2016; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-200-A (piston); 3,017 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KDLS, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on June 8, 2021. 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 | Record of Conversation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Summary of Findings (NTSB) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Summary of Findings (FAA Inspector) | PDF, 1 page | 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.