# Accident 20260724010359A: Elkins Dennis E ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS, Lawton, IA, July 24, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 24, 2026, 14:22 local time
- Place: Lawton, IA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.5131° N, 96.2964° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5131&lon=-96.2964&mi=10
- Aircraft: N27601, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Elkins Dennis E ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS (registry code 05618PA, https://openairdocs.org/model/elkins-dennis-e-zenith-zodiac-601hds) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-290 series (registry code 41506, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ELKINS DENNIS E ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN26FA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26FA267) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260724010359A

## Narrative

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

PILOT DEPARTED IN VFR CONDITIONS ON EXTENDED CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. DURING CRUISE FLIGHT WEATHER DETERIORATED TO IMC. PILOT NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND AIRCRAFT NOT EQUIPPED FOR IFR FLIGHT. NO RADIO CALLS FROM THE PILOT WERE RECEIVED BY ATC. WREACKAGE WAS FOUND IN A SMALL POND.

## 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 CEN26FA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26FA267), Jul 24, 2026: Zenith Zodiak 601 HDS (N27601), Sioux City, IA, destroyed, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing

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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