Accident Overview
On May 2, 2023, at approximately 2013 central daylight time, a Zenith STOL CH750 airplane, registration N750TK, sustained substantial damage when it struck a power line near Udall, Kansas. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Pilot and Witness Accounts
The pilot reported that while en route to Cook Airfield (K50) in Rose Hill, Kansas, he experienced an “engine stumble.” He descended toward open fields, and the engine returned to normal operation. After continuing over open fields for about 12 more miles, during an attempted climbing turn, the engine sustained a “prolonged stumble” and a loss of power that did not improve. The pilot maneuvered for a forced landing to a road. During the landing attempt, the airplane struck a power line. The pilot aborted the landing, engine power was restored, and he flew about 10 miles to K50 for an uneventful landing.
A witness reported seeing the airplane flying low toward his house. He provided a photo of the airplane in flight just before it struck the power line. The witness stated that he saw the airplane fly under power lines, heard a noise, and then saw the power lines moving. He reported hearing engine noise with no indication of a rough running engine. After striking the power lines, the airplane climbed and flew to the northwest at “treetop height.”
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The engine’s right carburetor exhibited fuel staining around the choke housing and in the drip pan. The left carburetor had fuel staining around one screw on the choke housing. The throttle cable exhibited chafing where it passed through the firewall. The engine was started and run up to full rpm with no discrepancies noted. The carburetors were removed and examined, revealing no indication of malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The throttle cable chafing did not inhibit carburetor operation.
A review of the airplane’s logbooks showed the engine was installed on August 27, 2016. The last condition inspection was completed on January 4, 2023, at which time the engine had accumulated 591.76 hours.
Flight Data
ADS-B data showed the airplane departed Ponca City Regional Airport (PNC) in Ponca City, Oklahoma, about 1939 and climbed to about 1,000 ft agl. About 14 miles north of PNC, the airplane descended and remained at altitudes below 300 ft agl until the area of the power line collision. After the collision, the airplane climbed and ultimately reached a maximum altitude of about 1,100 ft agl before descending to land on runway 35 at K50.