# NTSB CEN14CA368: Mckenzie Douglas E Stol CH750, N792MC, Dodgeville, MI, July 13, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 13, 2014, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Dodgeville, MI
- Coordinates: 47.019721, -88.551666 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0197&lon=-88.5517&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Grand Rapids FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89673
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA368
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89673/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89673
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA368

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff resulting in an impact with a tree and terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas E Mckenzie ZENITH STOL CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05631ON), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas E Mckenzie ZENITH STOL CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05631ON), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Douglas E Mckenzie ZENITH STOL CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05631ON), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Douglas E Mckenzie ZENITH STOL CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05631ON), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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 visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Douglas E Mckenzie ZENITH STOL CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=05631ON), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Douglas E Mckenzie ZENITH STOL CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05631ON), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Douglas E Mckenzie ZENITH STOL CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05631ON), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110); cases with it: [Douglas E Mckenzie ZENITH STOL CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=05631ON), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was performing a normal takeoff in the short take-off and landing (STOL) airplane on a short narrow grass runway. After the airplane became airborne about midfield it encountered unexpected crosswind turbulence near the edge of a tree line. The airplane drifted to the side, contacted the top of a tree, entered an aerodynamic stall, impacted terrain and came to rest on its nose resulting in substantial damage to the engine mount, forward fuselage, both wings, and both flaperons. The pilot credited the shoulder harness installation with saving him from more serious injury. The pilot also reported that there was no preimpact malfunction or failure.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was performing a normal takeoff in the short take-off and landing (STOL) airplane on a short narrow grass runway. After the airplane became airborne about midfield it encountered unexpected crosswind turbulence near the edge of a tree line. The airplane drifted to the side, contacted the top of a tree, entered an aerodynamic stall, impacted terrain and came to rest on its nose resulting in substantial damage to the engine mount, forward fuselage, both wings, and both flaperons. The pilot credited the shoulder harness installation with saving him from more serious injury. The pilot also reported that there was no preimpact malfunction or failure.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N792MC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N792MC), registered now, S/N 75-8144, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCKENZIE DOUGLAS E STOL CH750
- Registry model: [Douglas E Mckenzie ZENITH STOL CH750](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-e-mckenzie-zenith-stol-ch750) (registry code 05631ON) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300a) (registry code 34804, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 75-8144
- Year built: 2012
- Airframe hours: 93
- Engines: JABIRU 3300A 120 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, October 4, 2013, 19 hours before
- Departed: CMX, Houghton, MI
- Destination: NONE, Dodgeville, MI
- Airport: NONE, McKenzie Highland Stables, runway 10, 800 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 13, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,090 total, 94 in this make and model, 2,057 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 17 knots, gusting 31
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: KCMX, 9 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 20140713012359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140713012359A), Jul 13, 2014: Douglas E Mckenzie ZENITH STOL CH750, Dodgeville, MI, Substantial damage. On July 13, 2014, at 1700 EDT, an experimental homebuilt zenith stol CH750, N792MC registered to a private owner, collided with a tree top on takeoff from a…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89673. 1.0 MB in all.

- Operator’s Aircraft Accident Report – NTSB Form 6120-1 (item 1, .PDF, 798 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417597&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operator%E2%80%99s%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report%20%E2%80%93%20NTSB%20Form%206120-1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo - Wreckage as viewed from the left side (Photo from Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 217 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417598&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%20-%20Wreckage%20as%20viewed%20from%20the%20left%20side%20(Photo%20from%20Pilot)-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.

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