Climbing Through 300 Ft Above Ground Level, The Engine Started To “Misfire” Then Immediately Stopped Producing Power

Location: Altoona, PA Accident Number: ERA25LA030
Date & Time: October 17, 2024, 15:15 Local Registration: N511JG
Aircraft: Zenith Zodiac 601 HDS Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On October 17, 2024, at 1515 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Zenith Zodiac 601HDS airplane, N511JG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Altoona, Pennsylvania. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91personal flight. 

The private pilot reported that that there were no irregularities noted with the airplane during the preflight inspection, engine runup or taxi prior to departing from runway 3 at Altoona/Blair County Airport (AOO), Altoona, Pennsylvania. The pilot intended to remain in the airport traffic pattern; however, during the initial climb, when the airplane was climbing through 300 ft above ground level, the engine started to “misfire” then immediately stopped producing power. The airplane was still over the runway, and the pilot pushed the nose over and attempted a forced landing on the remaining runway. The airplane landed hard, the landing gear collapsed, and the fuselage and left wing were buckled.

Initial examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed there were about 10 gallons of fuel on board. There was no rotational damage to the propeller and the engine was intact. Engine crankshaft and valvetrain continuity was established and compression was attained on each cylinder. Both magnetos produced spark at each of the posts. A subsequent examination of the fuel system revealed that the fuel gascolator exhibited features consistent with a fuel leak and that the gascolator gasket was stiff and cracked.

The airplane was retained for additional examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov