# NTSB CEN22LA412: Zenith 750, N1949H, Silex, MO, September 7, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 7, 2022, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Silex, MO - Coordinates: 39.142641, -90.960918 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1426&lon=-90.9609&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 105893 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA412 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105893/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105893 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA412 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerlines during takeoff. ## 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: [Knott Vernon W ZENITH 750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05630K0), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Knott Vernon W ZENITH 750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05630K0), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Related operating info; cases with it: [Knott Vernon W ZENITH 750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=05630K0), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Knott Vernon W ZENITH 750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05630K0), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and pilot-rated passenger departed from a 1,100-ft-long turf runway on the first flight after assembling the kit-built airplane. The pilot reported that the airplane’s ground roll was about 400 ft, and after takeoff, he turned right to avoid a rural power line near the end of the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted the power line and then terrain, which damaged both wings and fuselage. The pilot reported, and a postaccident examination corroborated, that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot remarked that the airplane’s “Y” yoke, located between the two pilots’ knees, made pitch control during the takeoff more difficult, as compared to a control wheel or stick. Takeoff performance information from the kit manufacturer indicated the airplane with a 100 horsepower (HP) engine was capable of clearing the power line by a significant margin; whereas a pilot operating handbook released in 2009 for factory-built airplanes equipped with a 100 HP engine indicated significantly less margin to clear the power line. Takeoff performance information for the accident airplane, which was equipped with a 120 HP engine, was not available to the pilots. The pilot reflected that a better risk management option for the initial takeoff would have been to depart solo and meet the pilot-rated passenger at another airport with a longer runway. ## Factual narrative On September 7, 2022, about 1520 central daylight time, a Zenith 750, N1949H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Silex, Missouri. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the pilot-rated passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, during takeoff of the first flight after assembly, the airplane lifted off the ground about 400 ft down the 1,100-ft turf runway. During the initial climb, the pilot turned right to avoid a rural power line at the end of the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted the powerline and terrain, which substantially damaged both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported, and a postaccident examination corroborated, that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot observed the airplane’s “Y” yoke, located between the two pilots’ knees, made pitch control more difficult, as compared to a control wheel or control stick. The airplane’s weight during the takeoff was estimated to be 1,291 lbs. The accident airplane was equipped with a Jabiru 120 HP engine and the density altitude during the accident was calculated to be 2,234 ft. Takeoff performance information for the accident airplane was not available to the pilot. At the airplane’s maximum gross weight of 1,320 lbs, the kit manufacturer’s takeoff performance information indicated a takeoff roll of 100 ft and climb rate of 1,000 ft per minute with a 100 horsepower (HP) engine at sea level. According to the pilot, takeoff performance information contained in kit manufacturer advertisements were unrealistic for most conditions. A pilot operating handbook (POH) was released in March 2009 by a company producing factory-built airplanes. The POH included takeoff performance information with turf runway corrections. At the airplane’s maximum gross weight, 3,000 ft density altitude, and equipped with a 100-horsepower engine, the POH listed the takeoff roll from a turf runway as 552 ft and the distance to clear a 50 ft obstacle as 960 ft. The pilot was not aware of takeoff performance information from this POH. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Flight Test Manual includes the following information regarding takeoff performance: Knowing your airplane’s takeoff performance is key to planning safe departures, especially on short runways and on different surfaces. To account for performance variation caused by environmental factors, such as wind or density altitude, always add a margin of safety. The pilot reflected that a better risk management decision for the initial takeoff would have been to depart solo and meet the pilot-rated passenger at another airport with a longer runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1949H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1949H-2023-12-11), registration cancelled 2023-12-11, S/N 75-7637, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ZENITH 750 - Registry model: [Knott Vernon W ZENITH 750](https://openairdocs.org/model/knott-vernon-w-zenith-750) (registry code 05630K0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34802, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 75-7637 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 163 - Engines: Jabiru 3300 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 1, 2021 - Departed: 54MO, Silex, MO - Destination: 54MO, Silex, MO - Airport: 54MO, Herrmann-Faulk Airfield, runway 29, 1,100 × 80 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 24, 2021; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 22,247 total, 8 in this make and model, 11,127 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 72; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review January 27, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 155 total, 10 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KMYJ, 40 nm away - METAR: KMYJ 072015Z AUTO 03008KT 10SM SCT050 27/17 A3014 RMK AO2 ## 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 20220907016059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220907016059A), Sep 7, 2022: Knott Vernon W ZENITH 750, Silex, MO, Substantial damage. The ATP rated pilot was assisting the light sport aircraft [privacy data omitted]with a maintenance test flight following the import from Canada and reassembly… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105893. 9.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14948068&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16473950&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Passenger statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14947473&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Passenger%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Runway and accident site diagram (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 875 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14948026&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Runway%20and%20Accident%20Site%20Diagram-Rel.pdf - Aircraft examination and summary (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 215 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15376889&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Aircraft%20Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Takeoff performance information - kit manufacturer - Continental engine (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15264277&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airplane%20Performance%20Information-Rel.pdf - Takeoff performance information - excerpt of factory built POH (Continental engine) (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16473010&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=AMD%20takeoff%20peformance%20-%20excerpt-Rel.pdf - Weight and balance information (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 640 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16162502&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=$%20-%20Weight%20and%20Balance%20info%20for%20docket-Rel.pdf - Experimental aircraft association guidance - excerpt (item 9, PDF, 2 pages, 926 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16519983&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=EAA%20Guidance%20-%20Excerpt-Rel.pdf - FAA advisory circular - amateur built aircraft - excerpt of airport selection (item 10, PDF, 2 pages, 523 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16520300&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=AC%2090-89C%20-%20excerpt%20-%20airport%20selection%20info-Rel.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.