About Three Hours Into The Flight... The Engine Sputtered And Lost Total Power

Location: Montgomery City, MO Accident Number: CEN20LA397
Date & Time: 09/16/2020, 1251 CDT Registration: N4744M
Aircraft: ZENITH CH 750 Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On September 16, 2020, about 1251 central daylight time, an amateur-built Zenith CH 750 airplane, N4744M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Montgomery City, Missouri. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot estimated 22-23 gallons of fuel were onboard the airplane during the preflight and he estimated a fuel consumption rate of about 6 gallons per hour for the flight. About three hours into the flight at an altitude of about 3,000 ft mean sea level, the engine sputtered and lost total power. The pilot made a forced landing into a bean field and the airplane nosed over, which damaged both wings, the fuselage, and the rudder. The airplane will be examined after recovery.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov