# NTSB CEN11LA168: Ertz Mark G Zodiac 601XL, N200BE, Burlington, IA, January 29, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 29, 2011, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Burlington, IA - Coordinates: 40.783054, -91.125274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7831&lon=-91.1253&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Des Moines FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78263 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78263/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78263 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA168 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The Model 1 pilot's inadequate visual lookout and subsequent failure to see and avoid the Zodiac. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The Model 1 pilot's inadequate visual lookout and subsequent failure to see and avoid the Zodiac. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Ertz Mark G ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=056246J), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cunningham MODEL-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=0561303), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Ertz Mark G ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=056246J), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cunningham MODEL-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=0561303), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The pilot of the Zodiac made radio calls when he was 10 miles and 5 miles from the airport to inform other aircraft of his position. He also made position reports when he turned left onto the final leg of the traffic pattern, and again when he was on short final for landing. About 90 feet from taxiway turnoff, the Zodiac was hit from the rear. The Zodiac pilot taxied off the runway and, looking back, he could see the Model 1, a red and white biplane, behind him. The horizontal and vertical stabilizers of the Zodiac were destroyed by the propeller strike from the Model 1. The Model 1 received minor damage to the engine cowl. The pilot of the Model 1, who was seated in the rear seat of the airplane during the flight, reported that he did not see the Zodiac prior to landing or while taxiing. The Model 1 was not equipped with either an installed or handheld radio. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilot of the Zodiac made radio calls when he was 10 miles and 5 miles from the airport to inform other aircraft of his position. He also made position reports when he turned left onto the final leg of the traffic pattern, and again when he was on short final for landing. About 90 feet from the taxiway turnoff, the Zodiac was hit from the rear. The Zodiac pilot taxied off the runway and, looking back, he could see the Model 1, a red and white biplane, behind him. The horizontal and vertical stabilizers of the Zodiac were destroyed by the propeller strike from the Model 1. The Model 1 received minor damage to the engine cowl. The pilot of the Model 1, who was seated in the rear seat of the airplane during the flight, reported that he did not see the Zodiac prior to landing or while taxiing. The Model 1 was not equipped with either an installed or handheld radio. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On January 29, 2011 at 1615 central standard time, an experimental amateur-built Ertz Zodiac 601 XL, N200BE, sustained substantial damage when an experimental amateur-built Cunningham Model 1, N602CB, struck the Zodiac in the tail while it was taxing on runway 36 (5,500 feet by 200 feet, asphalt) at the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport (BRL), Burlington, Iowa. The pilot and passenger of the Zodiac were not injured. The pilot of the Model 1 was not injured. Both airplanes were operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flights. The Zodiac departed from BRL at 1500 on a local flight. The Model 1 departed from Quincy, Illinois, about 1515 en route to BRL. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for either airplane. The pilot of the Zodiac reported that he was approaching BRL from the southwest, and he made radio calls when he was 10 miles and 5 miles from the airport to inform other aircraft of his position. He turned right to enter a left downwind for runway 30, but decided to land on runway 36 instead. He reported there were no other aircraft in sight during the approach. He made a radio call when he turned left onto the final leg, and again when he was on short final for landing on runway 36. He reported that the Zodiac touched down just past the numbers and was preparing to taxi off the runway at Alpha 2, which is about 2,000 feet from the approach end of the runway. About 90 feet from Alpha 2, he reported that his airplane was going about 15 mph when it was hit from the rear. He taxied off the runway, and looking back, he could see the Model 1, a red and white biplane, behind him. Both airplanes stopped and the pilots inspected both airplanes. The horizontal and vertical stabilizers of the Zodiac were destroyed by the propeller strike from the Model 1. The Model 1 received minor damage to the engine cowl. The pilot of the Model 1 reported that he did not see any airplanes in the pattern or on the runway at BRL as he approached for landing. He landed on the centerline and did not see any aircraft. He reported that he slowed to about 5 mph as he prepared to taxi from the runway. He felt a “bump” and then saw a “silver, little airplane, ahead of me.” He stated that the Zodiac blended in with the runway and he did not see it. He stated that the Zodiac pilot “should have exited the runway ASAP” in order for other aircraft to land safely. The pilot of a commuter airplane reported that he saw the Model 1 strike the Zodiac from behind. He reported that the Zodiac pilot made all the required position calls on the radio. He did not hear the pilot of the Model 1 make any radio calls. The Model 1 airplane is a tailwheel equipped airplane. It was not equipped with either an installed or handheld radio, and the pilot was seated in the rear seat of the airplane during the flight. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On January 29, 2011 at 1615 central standard time, an experimental amateur-built Ertz Zodiac 601 XL, N200BE, sustained substantial damage when an experimental amateur-built Cunningham Model 1, N602CB, struck the Zodiac in the tail while it was taxing on runway 36 (5,500 feet by 200 feet, asphalt) at the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport (BRL), Burlington, Iowa. The pilot and passenger of the Zodiac were not injured. The pilot of the Model 1 was not injured. Both airplanes were operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flights. The Zodiac departed from BRL at 1500 on a local flight. The Model 1 departed from Quincy, Illinois, about 1515 en route to BRL. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for either airplane. The pilot of the Zodiac reported that he was approaching BRL from the southwest, and he made radio calls when he was 10 miles and 5 miles from the airport to inform other aircraft of his position. He turned right to enter a left downwind for runway 30, but decided to land on runway 36 instead. He reported there were no other aircraft in sight during the approach. He made a radio call when he turned left onto the final leg, and again when he was on short final for landing on runway 36. He reported that the Zodiac touched down just past the numbers and was preparing to taxi off the runway at Alpha 2, which is about 2,000 feet from the approach end of the runway. About 90 feet from Alpha 2, he reported that his airplane was going about 15 mph when it was hit from the rear. He taxied off the runway, and looking back, he could see the Model 1, a red and white biplane, behind him. Both airplanes stopped and the pilots inspected both airplanes. The horizontal and vertical stabilizers of the Zodiac were destroyed by the propeller strike from the Model 1. The Model 1 received minor damage to the engine cowl. The pilot of the Model 1 reported that he did not see any airplanes in the pattern or on the runway at BRL as he approached for landing. He landed on the centerline and did not see any aircraft. He reported that he slowed to about 5 mph as he prepared to taxi from the runway. He felt a “bump” and then saw a “silver, little airplane, ahead of me.” He stated that the Zodiac blended in with the runway and he did not see it. He stated that the Zodiac pilot “should have exited the runway ASAP” in order for other aircraft to land safely. The pilot of a commuter airplane reported that he saw the Model 1 strike the Zodiac from behind. He reported that the Zodiac pilot made all the required position calls on the radio. He did not hear the pilot of the Model 1 make any radio calls. The Model 1 airplane is a tailwheel equipped airplane. It was not equipped with either an installed or handheld radio, and the pilot was seated in the rear seat of the airplane during the flight. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N200BE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N200BE), registered now, S/N 6-6494, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ERTZ MARK G ZODIAC 601XL - Registry model: [Ertz Mark G ZODIAC 601XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/ertz-mark-g-zodiac-601xl) (registry code 056246J) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34801, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-6494 - Airframe hours: 488 - Engines: JABIRU 3300 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ertz Mark G - Registered owner: Ertz Mark G - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 1, 2010 - Departed: BRL, Burlington, IA - Destination: BRL, Burlington, IA - Airport: BRL, Southwest Iowa Regional, runway 36, 5,500 × 200 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N602CB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N602CB), registered now, S/N 446-18-1830 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CUNNINGHAM MODEL-1 - Registry model: [Cunningham MODEL-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/cunningham-model-1) (registry code 0561303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 446-18-1830 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Edward Merchant - Registered owner: Buss William D - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 15, 2011 - Departed: UIN, Quincy, IL - Destination: BRL, Burlington, IA - Airport: BRL, Southwest Iowa Regional, runway 35, 5,500 × 200 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N200BE; age 54; injuries: none; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review May 19, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 701 total, 488 in this make and model, 675 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N602CB; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 18, 2011; seat: rear; flight hours: 14,000 total, 10 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: BRL ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110129001531A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110129001531A), Jan 29, 2011: Ertz Mark G ZODIAC 601X, Burlington, IA, Substantial damage. The pilot of the zodiac made several radio transmissions prior to and while in the local traffic pattern for runway 36 at Southeast Iowa Regional Airport in… - [Accident 20110129001541A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110129001541A), Jan 29, 2011: Cunningham MODEL-1, Burlington, IA, Minor damage. Aircraft entered the traffic pattern at Southeast Iowa Regional Airport in Burlington, Iowa (kbrl). The aircraft had no radio on board so no position calls… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 4, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78263. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Zodiac (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345464&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Zodiac-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Model 1 (item 2, .PDF, 1000 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345465&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Model%201-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement - Email (item 3, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345467&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20-%20Email-Redacted.PDF - Accident Diagram from Zodiac Pilot (item 4, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Diagram%20from%20Zodiac%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - CEN11LA168AB Photo Log (item 5, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345473&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CEN11LA168AB%20Photo%20Log-Master.PDF 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.