# NTSB CEN14LA447: Herder Michael Zodiac 601 HD, N318MH, Fredericksburg, TX, August 21, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2014, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Fredericksburg, TX - Coordinates: 30.248888, -98.91333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2489&lon=-98.9133&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 23, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89931 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA447 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89931/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89931 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA447 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a gusting crosswind landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Herder Michael ZODIAC 601 HD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05629Y7), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Herder Michael ZODIAC 601 HD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05629Y7), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Herder Michael ZODIAC 601 HD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05629Y7), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Herder Michael ZODIAC 601 HD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05629Y7), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Herder Michael ZODIAC 601 HD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05629Y7), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Herder Michael ZODIAC 601 HD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05629Y7), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After a cross-country flight and as the pilot approached his destination airport, he checked the wind. After flying a normal traffic pattern for runway 14, he made two unsuccessful landing attempts. On the third attempt, the airplane experienced a wind gust, and the airplane banked 90 degrees. The pilot applied power; however, the left wing impacted the runway. The airplane cartwheeled twice and then came to rest inverted next to the runway. There were no reported malfunctions with the airplane before the accident. A review of the airport's automated weather reporting station report indicated that, about the time of the accident, the airplane would have experienced about a 15-knot crosswind gusting to 20 knots. The accident is consistent with a loss of control during windy conditions. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 2014, about 1450 central daylight time, a Zodiac 601 HD airplane, N318MH, impacted terrain near the Gillespie County Airport, (T82), Fredericksburg, Texas. The private rated pilot, sole occupant, was seriously injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a Saavy Biz, Inc, Roanoke, Texas, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. According to the pilot, as he approached T82, the wind was 18 to 22 knots. He flew a normal traffic pattern to runway 14, but made two unsuccessful attempts to land. On his third attempt to land, while 100 feet above the runway at 55 knots, a wind gust hit the airplane and banked the airplane 90-degrees. The pilot reported that he applied power; however, the left wing impacted the runway. The airplane cartwheeled twice before coming to rest, inverted next to the runway. There were no reported malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident, and examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. A review of the automated weather reporting station report, about the time of the accident, revealed that the pilot would have experienced a crosswind of about 15 knots gusting to 20 knots ## Aircraft - Registration: [N318MH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N318MH-2018-01-03), registration cancelled 2018-01-03, S/N 6-7356, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HERDER MICHAEL ZODIAC 601 HD - Registry model: [Herder Michael ZODIAC 601 HD](https://openairdocs.org/model/herder-michael-zodiac-601-hd) (registry code 05629Y7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34802, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-7356 - Year built: 2010 - Engines: JABIRU 3300 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Saavy Biz Inc - Registered owner: Saavy Biz Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 13, 2013 - Departed: KMNZ, Hamilton, TX - Destination: T82, Fredericksburg, TX - Airport: T82, Gillespie County Airport, runway 14, 5,001 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review April 14, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 380 total, 145 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 16 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: T82 ## 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 20140821020439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140821020439A), Aug 21, 2014: Herder Michael ZODIAC 601 HD, Fredericksburg, TX, Destroyed. Pilot was approaching gillespie municipal airport Fredericksburg Texas. AWOS was reporting winds of 18 to 22 knots and gusting. Pilot made two unsuccesful… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 12, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89931. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 989 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420874&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420875&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Automated Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420876&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Automated%20Weather%20Report-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.