NTSB Factual Report

On August 18, 2014, about 1330 Alaska daylight time, an experimental amateur built Zenith STOL CH-701 airplane, N957TT, sustained substantial damage during a collision with terrain, following a loss of engine power during takeoff from an off-airport site near Nikiski, Alaska. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight destined to Nikishka, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 21, the pilot stated that before landing at the off-airport site he performed a low pass to observe the condition of the site and noted three areas of standing water and one aircraft parked off the site. He then conducted a touch-and-go landing, touching down with the main gear only to test the landing surface, followed by a full stop landing. During the landing roll, the airplane's main landing gear wheels went through areas of standing water, which splashed over the windscreen and under the pilot's door. Upon exiting the airplane the pilot noticed fluid dripping from underneath the wing. He believed it was fuel, as he had a fuel leak in the same location the month prior, so he closed both fuel valves.

The pilot reported that before departing for his return trip, he performed a walk-around inspection of the airplane and the airstrip, and noted no abnormalities. He added that he started the engine and did the before-takeoff procedures by memory, without the use the preflight checklist.

The pilot said that during takeoff, as the airplane climbed to about 50 feet above the ground (agl), the engine lost all power. The pilot stated he had insufficient airspeed or altitude to transition to a landing attitude which resulted in a hard landing near the departure end of the site. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings detached at the rear attachment point.

In the pilot's written statement dated August 22, 2014, which was included in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) the pilot stated that he had failed to move the fuel valves into the "on" position prior to engine start, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of power after takeoff. The pilot also reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot noted in the recommendation section of the Form 6120.1 that the accident could have been prevented if he used the checklists and avoided distractions while completing the checklists.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s improper positioning of the fuel selector valves, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow preflight checklists.