# NTSB CEN15CA160: Zenith Acft Stol CH 701, N511QC, Marion, SD, February 27, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 27, 2015, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Marion, SD - Coordinates: 43.484443, -97.241668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4844&lon=-97.2417&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 8, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 90812 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90812/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90812 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA160 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering to land resulting in contact with a power line and the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert Perry STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05633FB), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert Perry STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05633FB), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert Perry STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05633FB), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Robert Perry STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05633FB), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robert Perry STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05633FB), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Robert Perry STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05633FB), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robert Perry STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05633FB), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was relocating his airplane to a private airstrip. On arriving at the airstrip, the pilot did two takeoffs and landings without incident. During the takeoff and climb for a third approach and landing, the pilot experienced and uncontrolled roll to the left. The pilot put in right aileron but the input did not seem to have any effect on the roll. The roll turned the airplane toward a power line located east of the runway. The pilot could not recall if he applied engine power or tried to climb to keep the airplane from contacting the power line. The airplane struck the power line and subsequently impacted the ground seriously injuring the pilot and resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The airplane was equipped with flaperons. The pilot said he was not using flaps, and that the airplane's thick wing reduced the effect of power during the descent. The pilot reported having one hour total time in the accident airplane make and model. ## Factual narrative The pilot was relocating his airplane to a private airstrip. On arriving at the airstrip, the pilot did two takeoffs and landings without incident. During the takeoff and climb for a third approach and landing, the pilot experienced and uncontrolled roll to the left. The pilot put in right aileron but the input did not seem to have any effect on the roll. The roll turned the airplane toward a power line located east of the runway. The pilot could not recall if he applied engine power or tried to climb to keep the airplane from contacting the power line. The airplane struck the power line and subsequently impacted the ground seriously injuring the pilot and resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The airplane was equipped with flaperons. The pilot said he was not using flaps, and that the airplane's thick wing reduced the effect of power during the descent. The pilot reported having one hour total time in the accident airplane make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N511QC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N511QC), registered now, S/N 7-8815 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ZENITH ACFT CO STOL CH 701 - Registry model: [Robert Perry STOL CH 701](https://openairdocs.org/model/robert-perry-stol-ch-701) (registry code 05633FB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7-8815 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 25 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Bridgewater, SD - Destination: PVT, Marion, SD - Airport: PVT, Dykstra Grass Strip, runway 18, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 9, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,620 total, 1 in this make and model, 1,568 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 12 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 30.45 inHg - Observed at: FSD, 22 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 20150227007869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150227007869A), Feb 27, 2015: Robert Perry STOL CH 701, Monroe, SD, Substantial damage. On 02/27/2015 at approximately 1430, an experimental amateur built, stol ch 701 zenith (make: Robert Perry) owned by and registered to a Robert b. perry… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 12, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90812. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435504&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435505&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-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.