# NTSB CEN15CA159: Arnold Zodiac CH 650, N715AK, Greeley, CO, February 27, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 27, 2015, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Greeley, CO
- Coordinates: 40.4375, -104.633331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4375&lon=-104.6333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 7, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90806
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90806/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90806
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA159

## Probable cause

The pilot was unable to maintain directional control during the landing due to the foreign object that lodged behind the rudder.

## Findings

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

- [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [William R Arnold ZODIAC CH 650, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=05631D1), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [William R Arnold ZODIAC CH 650, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=05631D1), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [William R Arnold ZODIAC CH 650, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=05631D1), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [William R Arnold ZODIAC CH 650, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05631D1), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333); cases with it: [William R Arnold ZODIAC CH 650, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=05631D1), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [William R Arnold ZODIAC CH 650, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05631D1), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot had recently purchased the experimental amateur-built airplane. He was flying with a flight instructor to gain flight experience in the airplane. The pilot reported that he had made a normal left hand pattern and approach to the runway. During the flare, he attempted to maneuver the airplane to the right using aileron and right rudder inputs. The pilot said that the rudder would not move and he focused on the rudder problem. The airplane rolled out on the runway in a "sideways motion," the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nose down on the runway. After exiting the airplane, the pilot and instructor observed an auxiliary electrical plug had lodged behind the right rudder pedal and had jammed it. The pilot indicated that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions. The flight instructor's safety recommendation, in part, stated, "This could have been prevented by stowing all movable items before and during flight to keep them away from the flight controls."

## Factual narrative

The pilot had recently purchased the experimental amateur-built airplane. He was flying with a flight instructor to gain flight experience in the airplane. The pilot reported that he had made a normal left hand pattern and approach to the runway. During the flare, he attempted to maneuver the airplane to the right using aileron and right rudder inputs. The pilot said that the rudder would not move and he focused on the rudder problem. The airplane rolled out on the runway in a "sideways motion," the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nose down on the runway. After exiting the airplane, the pilot and instructor observed an auxiliary electrical plug had lodged behind the right rudder pedal and had jammed it. The pilot indicated that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions. The flight instructor's safety recommendation, in part, stated, "This could have been prevented by stowing all movable items before and during flight to keep them away from the flight controls."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N715AK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N715AK-2018-05-07), registration cancelled 2018-05-07, S/N 65-8391, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ARNOLD ZODIAC CH 650 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [William R Arnold ZODIAC CH 650](https://openairdocs.org/model/william-r-arnold-zodiac-ch-650) (registry code 05631D1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce O-200-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-o-200-a) (registry code 54590, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 65-8391
- Year built: 2012
- Airframe hours: 48
- Engines: Rolls Royce O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, February 24, 2015
- Departed: GXY, GREELEY, CO
- Destination: GXY, GREELEY, CO
- Airport: GXY, Greeley-Weld County, runway 10, 5,801 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 3, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,076 total, 1 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days
- Flight instructor; age 62; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 6, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 8,671 total, 1 in this make and model, 8,587 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: KGXY

## 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 20150227001999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150227001999A), Feb 27, 2015: William R Arnold ZODIAC CH 650, Greeley, CO, Substantial damage. On 2/27/15 at 1600MST a kitbuilt zodiac aircraft with a pilot and a certified flight instructor made a landing that put a sideload on the nose landing gear…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 11, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90806. 2.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423310&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- 6120_1_CFI (item 2, .PDF, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423311&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=6120_1_CFI-Redacted.PDF
- CFI supplied image of N715AK rudder (item 3, .PDF, 679 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20supplied%20image%20of%20N715AK%20rudder-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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