Pilot Stated To First Responders That He Smelled Oil And The Cockpit Started To Fill With Smoke

Location: Columbia, IL Accident Number: CEN25FA056
Date & Time: December 8, 2024, 12:07 UTC Registration: N9853M
Aircraft: Zenith Zodiac CH601 Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On September 8, 2024, about 1207 central standard time, a Zenith Zodiac CH601 airplane, N9853M, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Columbia, Illinois. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The airplane was returning to Sackman Field Airport (IL91) in Columbia, Illinois, after suffering an apparent oil leak during a maintenance test flight. The pilot stated to first responders that he smelled oil and the cockpit started to fill with smoke. During the approach, the pilot opened the cockpit canopy to attempt to regain visibility and lost control of the airplane. The airplane impacted the ground and a postimpact fire ensued and destroyed the airplane.

The accident site was in a flat agricultural field about 0.3 nautical miles northwest of the approach end of runway 21. A nearby surveillance camera recording showed the airplane impact the field in a nose high upright configuration, nose over, and come to rest inverted with smoke immediately visible. The pilot stated that he used an onboard fire extinguisher until two witnesses arrived and pulled him from the airplane. The engine compartment, forward fuselage, and cockpit were fully engulfed by fire when first responders. 

The debris path extended in the field about 60 ft on a heading of 140°, to the main wreckage. The airplane engine compartment, fuselage, and inboard sections of both wings had extensive thermal damage from a post-crash fire. Flight control continuity from the flight control surfaces to the cockpit controls were confirmed along with the engine power control. 

The engine was an experimental inline four cylinder, normally aspirated, manufactured by Aero Momentum and was observed to have damage consisting of several holes in the engine case and oil pan that corresponded with a damaged piston assembly. 

The wreckage was retained for further examination. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov