# NTSB ATL96LA025: Moravan Zlin Z50 LA, N6660B, Springfield, TN, December 20, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 20, 1995, 12:22 local (18:22 UTC) - Place: Springfield, TN - Coordinates: 36.489093, -86.869873 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4891&lon=-86.8699&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3680 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3680/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA025 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis Witnesses in the area stated that, at about 1215, they heard the airplane overhead for several moments. The airplane engine sounded as though the airplane were slowing down and then speeding up during this time, but the witnesses did not see the airplane. They later observed the airplane disappear into a valley in a near vertical dive. The airplane impacted the terrain about 5 miles northwest of the departure airfield in a near vertical attitude. There was continuity of the aircraft flight controls. The medical examiner did not note any irregularities in the autopsy report that might have resulted in pilot incapacitation. The pilot's flight logbook did not show any evidence of prior experience in the Zlin Z50 LA. ## Factual narrative On December 20, 1995, at 1222 central standard time, a Moravan ZLIN Z50 LA, N6660B, was destroyed following a collision with terrain near Springfield, Tennessee. The commercial pilot was fatally injured in the accident. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The airplane departed a private sod airfield near Springfield at an undetermined time, and was enroute to Clarksville, Tennessee. Witnesses in the area stated that, at about 1215, they heard the airplane overhead for several moments. The airplane engine sounded as though the airplane were slowing down and then speeding up during this time, but the witnesses did not see the airplane. They later observed the airplane disappear into a valley in a near vertical dive. The airplane impacted the terrain about 5 miles northwest of the departure point. The airplane impacted the terrain in a near vertical attitude. Examination of the airplane revealed that there was continuity of the aircraft flight controls into the cockpit area. The pilot's log book did not indicate any previous experience in the Moravan ZLIN Z50 LA. An autopsy of the pilot was performed by Dr. Charles W. Harlan of the Tennessee State Medical Examiners Office in Nashville, Tennessee. The autopsy report states that the cause of death of the pilot was multiple injuries sustained in the airplane accident. A toxicological examination of the pilot was performed by the Federal Aviation Administration Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The toxicology report was negative for the use of drugs or ethanol. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6660B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6660B-2014-09-22), registration cancelled 2014-09-22, S/N 0004, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MORAVAN ZLIN Z50 LA (ZLIN Z50 L) - Registry model: [Moravan ZLIN Z50 LA](https://openairdocs.org/model/moravan-zlin-z50-la) (registry code 5920205) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0004 - Airframe hours: 972 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John W. Griffey - Registered owner: Robert E. Baggett - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1995 - Departed: NONE, TN - Destination: CKV, CLARKSVILLE, TN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,443 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MKL, 40 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19951220041559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951220041559A), Dec 20, 1995: Zlin Z326, Springfield, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Near vertical ground impact. Observed only vertical dive. No checkout in type. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.