# NTSB CEN14CA156: Olson Kenneth H T Zodiac 601 HDS, N981HT, Garrison, MN, March 8, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 8, 2014, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Garrison, MN
- Coordinates: 46.294445, -93.826942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2944&lon=-93.8269&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-Minneapolis FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88903
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88903/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88903
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA156

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff which resulted in the airplane striking a snow bank.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Olson Kenneth H T ZODIAC 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05614J3), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Olson Kenneth H T ZODIAC 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05614J3), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Olson Kenneth H T ZODIAC 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=05614J3), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Olson Kenneth H T ZODIAC 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05614J3), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Olson Kenneth H T ZODIAC 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05614J3), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while taking off from a frozen lake, the airplane veered to the left. He stated that at the point of rotation, the left wing struck a snow bank which spun the airplane in a counter-clockwise direction. The airplane's nose wheel then struck the snow bank and the airplane nosed over. He reported no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while taking off from a frozen lake, the airplane veered to the left. He stated that at the point of rotation, the left wing struck a snow bank which spun the airplane in a counter-clockwise direction. The airplane's nose wheel then struck the snow bank and the airplane nosed over. He reported no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N981HT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N981HT-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 6-4015, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: OLSON KENNETH H T ZODIAC 601 HDS (HDS)
- Registry model: [Olson Kenneth H T ZODIAC 601 HDS](https://openairdocs.org/model/olson-kenneth-h-t-zodiac-601-hds) (registry code 05614J3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 6-4015
- Year built: 2005
- Airframe hours: 137
- Engines: Continantal O-200C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 2, 2014
- Departed: Garrison, MN
- Destination: STC, ST CLOUD, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 31, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 290 total, 109 in this make and model, 187 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observed at: brd, 13 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 20140308001889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140308001889A), Mar 8, 2014: Olson Kenneth H T ZODIAC 601 HDS, Garrison, MN, Substantial damage. On the takeoff roll while departing from a runway that had been cleared on mille lacs lake near Garrison, MN, the pilot reported that the aircraft veered to…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 12, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88903. 1.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418887&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.

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