Accident Details
On August 12, 2016, at about 1000 Pacific daylight time, a Zenith CH601, registration N619LD, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground near Ocean Shores, Washington. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from Bowerman Airport (HQM) in Hoquiam, Washington, at 0900.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, the voltmeter's indications became erratic. Shortly thereafter, the airplane experienced a complete loss of electrical power, followed by a loss of engine power. The pilot immediately executed an emergency landing, establishing the best glide speed at 70 mph. Prior to impact, the bottom of the fuselage contacted surrounding vegetation, the right wing dipped, and the airplane impacted the terrain.
Battery and Electrical System
The airplane was equipped with an Odyssey Extreme Series PC-680 battery requiring a 14.4 charging voltage. After the flight, the pilot checked the battery's state of charge, which indicated 11 volts. He noted that the electrical system on the airplane requires 12-13 volts for operation. During the post-accident examination, the battery showed a 10-volt charge. The airplane had two Facet 12-volt electronic fuel pumps connected in series; no other mechanical or auxiliary pumps were installed. The wire and connectors remaining in the fuselage were of automotive type. All circuit breakers were observed in, and no overheated wiring or arcing was found.
Wreckage Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane's logbook and the majority of the wreckage. The logbook indicated the last condition inspection occurred on September 20, 2015; an Experimental Airworthiness certificate for Amateur Built was issued on May 20, 2016. The airplane was in Phase 1 operation test flight and restricted to a 25-mile radius of HQM.
The engine, most flight instruments, tachometer, interior components, and damaged canopy pieces were removed by the owner after the accident and were not present for examination.
Structural damage included the nose gear bent to the right; fuselage compression wrinkles in the top skin between the empennage and cabin; the right wing removed with outboard leading edge damage; significant damage to the right elevator; wrinkling on the skin below the horizontal stabilizer; damage to the left aileron and wingtip; and the main landing gear partially folded under the fuselage.
Engine and Fuel System
The airplane was powered by a Continental O-200-A engine (serial number 72 JACH-A-48) installed with about 250 hours since major overhaul. Initially equipped with an external oil filter and adapter on the oil cooler pad, the pilot removed the filter assembly and installed the cooler pad cover on the engine case. The oil screen contained no metal particles. The carburetor was separated from the engine and appeared largely intact; neither the carburetor bowl nor the accelerator pump contained fuel. The complete statement from the FAA inspector is appended to the accident in the public docket.