The pilot, who was the owner of the Zant TVAP-4, told investigators that the airplane sustained a total loss of engine power while climbing through 200 feet above ground level.
He made a forced landing on a field near the departure end of the runway at the airport in Franksville, Wisconsin. During the landing, the plane rolled for about 100 feet before the landing gear dug into soft terrain, resulting in a nose over of the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.
The airplane was equipped with a Generation 3 Ignition (G3i), which is an electronic ignition control system that is interfaced with the engine’s magneto ignition system on homebuilt, experimental aircraft. The G3i system is comprised of a MSD Ignition Multiple Spark Discharge (Ignition Amplifier) unit and a G3i Ignition Interface unit. Each unit was installed with a 7.5-amp fuse. However, the G3i Installation Manual (Series-1 and Series-2) did not call for the installation of fuses for either unit.
The G3i Installation Manual stated, in part: “The G3i module interfaces the aircraft magnetos with (MST) Multiple Sparking Technology ignition system. G3i compliments the synchronized firing event in all naturally aspirated and supercharged Lycoming and Continental engines. The MST amplifier discharges synchronized multiple sparks, which lasts for 20° of crankshaft rotation. The G3i system operates by switching the magnetos from their typical normal state to the more versatile electronic MST ignition.”
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that, with the airplane’s electrical power and magneto systems on and the G3i system off, the engine’s ignition system functioned normally. When the G3i system was turned on, the magneto system did not function. The 7.5-amp fuse installed for the MSD unit was blown.
The G3i Installation Manual stated “NOTE: In flight loss of engine power or suspected G3i ignition system failure, Toggle off the power to the G3i ignition system to revert back to default magneto mode.”
According to the FAA Safety Inspector who conducted the post-accident examination of the airplane, the pilot was unaware of the G3i Installation Manual note since no aircraft build records were provided to him as the buyer of the airplane.
The pilot told the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge that he did not toggle off the G3i system because he did not have time to diagnose the cause of the engine power loss. He added he did not have an engine-out checklist.
There was no G3i flight manual supplement/placard for emergency procedures relating to the failure of the G3i system, and such a supplement/placard was not required.
Probable Cause: The improper installation of the supplemental ignition system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
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This October 2023 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
That is just outright ignorance on display, purchasing an aircraft that is not subject to strict regulations regarding systems and configuration then not becoming thoroughly versed on it before attempting flight. Aircraft, even older certified ones, can have some characteristics that require a knowledgeable pilot to operate safely. Just jumping in and assuming it is like every other aircraft you have ever flown is downright foolishness and he was lucky that this did not result in his death.