# NTSB CEN14CA514: Stanley Arthur Freeman Zodiac 601XL, N710DM, Fremont, NE, September 14, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 14, 2014, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Fremont, NE
- Coordinates: 41.45, -96.52111
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4500&lon=-96.5211&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-Lincoln FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90132
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA514
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90132/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90132
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA514

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stanley Arthur Freeman ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05632US), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Stanley Arthur Freeman ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05632US), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stanley Arthur Freeman ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05632US), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Stanley Arthur Freeman ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05632US), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing flare, he over-controlled and the airplane climbed. He then pushed forward on the elevator control and over-corrected. He said that before he knew it he was porpoising and the airplane landed hard. He stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the event. The airplane incurred damage to the firewall.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing flare, he over-controlled and the airplane climbed. He then pushed forward on the elevator control and over-corrected. He said that before he knew it he was porpoising and the airplane landed hard. He stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the event. The airplane incurred damage to the firewall.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N710DM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N710DM), registered now, S/N 5636, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STANLEY ARTHUR FREEMAN ZODIAC 601XL (XL)
- Registry model: [Stanley Arthur Freeman ZODIAC 601XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/stanley-arthur-freeman-zodiac-601xl) (registry code 05632US) (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: 5636
- Year built: 2013
- Airframe hours: 22
- Engines: General Motors Corvair 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, September 13, 2014
- Departed: FET, Fremont, NE
- Destination: FET, Fremont, NE
- Airport: FET, Fremont Muni, runway 14, 6,353 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review September 11, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 399.2 total, 13.1 in this make and model, 332.7 as pilot in command, 10.5 in the last 90 days, 6.5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: FET

## 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 20140914017919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140914017919A), Sep 14, 2014: Stanley Arthur Freeman ZODIAC 601XL, Fremont, NE, Substantial damage. Pilot came in low while landing at the Fremont, NE airport. Aircraft nose pulled up and pilot over corrected causing the aircraft to porpoise 2-3 times.…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 14, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90132. 951 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 951 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417630&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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