N701ZGZenith Acft STOL CH 701 · 2009

On July 10, 2016, at 1205 eastern daylight time, an Alonso CH 701 airplane, N701ZG, collided with the terrain during an off-airport landing in Dexter, Michigan, following a loss of engine power. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from Livingston County Spencer J Hardy Airport (OZW), Howell, Michigan about 1150.The pilot reported he departed from Howard Nixon Memorial Airport (50G), Chesaning, Michigan, and was flying to Ann Arbor Municipal Airport (ARB) when the engine began running rough. He landed at OZW to examine the engine with another pilot who was flying in an accompanying airplane. He stated they were not able to find anything wrong with the engine. The pilot started the engine and performed a run-up which he stated were normal, so he departed OZW to continue the flight to ARB. While en route, the engine once again started running rough and subsequently experienced a total loss of power.

The pilot chose to land in a soybean field. During the forced landing approach, he saw power lines and had to lower the pitch altitude to fly under them. The airplane impacted hard in the soybean field.

A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector along with an airframe and powerplant mechanic. The examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have resulted in the loss of engine power.

The FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-09-35 "Carburetor Icing Prevention" chart indicated that the temperature and dewpoint, 79° F and 61° F respectively, were conducive for serious icing at glide power, not cruise power.