# Accident 20210914015749A: John H Robinson ZENITH 750 CRUZER, Edgewater, FL, September 14, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 14, 2021, 10:00 local time
- Place: Edgewater, FL
- Airport: Massey Ranch Airpark
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.9787° N, 80.9245° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9787&lon=-80.9245&mi=10
- Aircraft: N161AR, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N161AR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: John H Robinson ZENITH 750 CRUZER (registry code 05637U6, https://openairdocs.org/model/john-h-robinson-zenith-750-cruzer) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Viking 130 (registry code 63998, https://openairdocs.org/engine/viking-130) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOHN H ROBINSON ZENITH 750 CRUZER
- Reported engine: VIKING 130
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 90 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA21LA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA360) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210914015749A

## Narrative

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

AT APPROXIMATELY 0910 THE PILOT AND FRIEND DEPARTED MASSEY RANCH AIRPARK (X50) TO COMPLETE A PURCHASE TEST FLIGHT ON THE ZENITH 750 EXPERIMENTAL AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT.  THE PILOT HAD THE COMPLETED BILL OF SALE AND PLANNED TO DEPART X50 AND COMPLETE HIS FLIGHT TO GREENVILLE, TN AFTER A SUCCESSFUL TEST FLIGHT AROUND THE PATTERN AT X50.  THE PILOT STATED HE NEEDED FULL RIGHT RUDDER ON THE GROUND TO CENTER THE AIRCRAFT AND ON TAKEOFF TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT IN STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FLIGHT.  HE WAS ABLE TO DECREASE RIGHT RUDDER WITH INCREASE ALTITUDE.  AT ABOUT 800? THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BOOM NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE FLIGHT CONTROLS WERE COMPLETELY LOCKED/UNCONTROLLABLE.  THE AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTED TO DIVE DOWN AND LEFT AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE FLIGHT CONTROLS.  UPON LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT WAS STILL UNCONTROLLABLE AS IT VEERED LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY FLIPPING UPSIDE DOWN TO A FULL STOP IN THE WATER.  BOTH PILOT AND PASSENGER DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT WITH MINOR CUTS AND ABRASIONS.

## 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 ERA21LA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA360), Sep 14, 2021: Zenith 750 Cruzer (N161AR), New Smyrna, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The mechanic’s inadequate inspection of the flight control system, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.

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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