# Accident 20160717012899A: Hirn Associates Ltd ZODIAC CH601XL, Hedgesville, WV, July 17, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 17, 2016, 10:30 local time
- Place: Hedgesville, WV
- Airport: Green Landings
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.5747° N, 77.9714° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5747&lon=-77.9714&mi=10
- Aircraft: N650WP, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N650WP-2018-12-13) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hirn Associates ZODIAC CH601XL (registry code 05627VA, https://openairdocs.org/model/hirn-associates-zodiac-ch601xl) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Jabiru 3300A (registry code 34804, https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HIRN ASSOCIATES LTD ZODIAC CH601XL
- Reported engine: JABIRU 3300A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,250 total, 40 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA16CA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA259) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160717012899A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON JULY 17TH 2016 AT 10:30 LOCAL, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, PILOTING A ZODIAC CH601XL, N650WP, DEPARTED GREEN LANDING AIRPORT IN HEDGESVILLE WEST VIRGINIA, VIA RUNWAY 23. THE AIRCRAFT ROTATED IN A STEEP CLIMB TO THE LEFT TOWARDS THE SURROUNDING TREES. NOT TO IMPACT THE TREES, HE PROCEEDED TO INCREASE HIS CLIMB, AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND CRASHED INTO THE TOP OF THE TREES. THE AIRCRAFT FELL TO THE GROUND PARTIALLY SUPPORTED BY THE TREE, SUSTAINING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE.

IN REVIEW OF THE FACTS SURROUNDING THIS ACCIDENT, AND WITH CONSULTATION WITH POI-GA COOPER TOWERS, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ BE REEXAMINED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA16CA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA259), Jul 17, 2016: Hirn Associates Zodiac CH601XL (N650WP), Hedgesville, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadvertent activation of the elevator trim, which resulted in a premature takeoff and subsequent loss of airplane control and collision with trees.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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