N801CS

On September 11, 2025, about 0905 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Zenith CH801, N801CS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Jackpot, Navada. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that the airplane had just been purchased, and the planned itinerary was to depart Grants Pass Airport (3S8), Grants Pass, Oregon, to their final destination of Wichita, Kansas with multiple fuel stops.

After conducting a planned rest stop at Jackpot Airport/Hayden Field (06U), Jackpot, Nevada, he conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane, which included verifying fuel levels with the use of a dip stick. The pilot taxied to runway 33, where he performed an uneventful engine runup. During takeoff on runway 33, the engine initially developed full power of 4,500 rpm. When the airplane was approximately two miles northwest of 06U, the engine rpm decayed to about 3,700 rpm. Subsequently, the airplane could not maintain altitude over rising terrain and the pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field with sparse vegetation. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the surface, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.

The airplane has been secured for examination.