Amateur-built CH601 accident near Burlington, Washington, October 1, 2020
On October 1, 2020 at about 10:00 pm local time, a 2019 amateur-built CH601, registered N601SA, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Burlington, Washington (Skagit Regional Airport). It was a flight test 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
The 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
- October 1, 2020 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Burlington, Washington · Skagit Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CH601 XL, built 2019
- Registration
- N601SA · registry record · serial 6-6288
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the experimental, amateur-built airplane reported that he remained in the airport traffic pattern after departure and, while turning from base to final during landing, the engine lost total power. The airplane impacted terrain short of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot provided conflicting statements regarding which fuel tank was selected at the time of the accident, and also drained fuel from the tanks before the airplane was examined; therefore, the amount of fuel onboard at the time of the accident was not determined. Examination of the fuel system confirmed continuity from each tank to the fuel selector. The exterior of the gascolator exhibited a green film that saturated the fuel line from the gascolator to the engine-driven fuel pump. The fuel line from the gascolator to the carburetor was disconnected and purged. With the fuel selector in the right tank position, no fuel could be extracted from the fuel line. With the fuel selector in the left tank position, about 1 pint of a lime green-colored substance was purged from the fuel line. Examination of the throttle body also revealed the presence of the lime green substance. The liquid was consistent with 100LL aviation fuel; however, the lead content was higher than specification, which may have been the result of a lead-scavenging additive that the pilot used. The reason for its abnormal color could not be determined with the sample amount available. The wreckage was released to the pilot, who reported that he tested the ignition system and suggested that a coil selector anomaly may have resulted in the loss of power. However, his test was incomplete and unconfirmed. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on available evidence.
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 approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 111 hours in all; 41 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 38 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2020
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3.7 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Aeromax (Azalea Aviation LLC) A100 (piston); 4 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 5,480 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from KBVS
Weather report (METAR): KBVS 012155Z AUTO 00000KT 9SM CLR 22/14 A3016 RMK A01
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on July 26, 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 | Materials Laboratory | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Materials Laboratory Spl | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Statement of Pilot's Contradiction | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Evidence Tampering | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | FAA Examination | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Fuel System Schematic | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Ignition System Schematic | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Pilot's Ignition System Testing Method | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Photographs | 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.