Zenair CH 601UL Zodiac, G-BZFV Correction, 15 June 2013

From:
Air Accidents Investigation Branch
Published
10 December 2014
Category:
General aviation - fixed wing
Report type:
Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
Date of occurrence:
15 June 2013
Aircraft type:
Zenair CH 601UL Zodiac
Location:
Glebe Farm, Sibson, Leicestershire
Registration:
G-BZFV

Zenair CH 601UL Zodiac, G-BZFV Correction

Summary:

The pilot noticed a vibration through the airframe just after takeoff from a private grass strip. This was followed by a ‘thud’, a slight displacement of the engine cowling and a loss of engine power. The pilot made a forced landing in a wheat field, during which the nose and left landing gear collapsed, and the firewall and both wings were damaged. The power loss was initiated by the failure and detachment of one of the composite propeller blades, resulting in vibration which caused the carburettors to separate from the engine. The detached propeller blade had suffered a structural failure due to a high cycle oscillation about the blade pitch axis which was caused by a missing component within the coarse pitch stop assembly.

Download report:

Zenair CH 601UL Zodiac, G-BZFV Correction 04-14 (2).pdf (1,367.52 kb)

Published 10 December 2014