# NTSB CEN23LA331: David Brown/U Balldin/T Morgan Zenith Stol CH701, N1836E, Arnaudville, LA, June 25, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 24, 2023, 20:00 local (Jun 25, 2023, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Arnaudville, LA
- Coordinates: 30.3977, -91.9315 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3977&lon=-91.9315&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA BTR FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA331
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA331

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed resulting in exceeding the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. The low altitude at which the flight was conducted contributed to the outcome.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [David Brown/U Balldin/T Morgan ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05633VX), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [David Brown/U Balldin/T Morgan ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05633VX), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [David Brown/U Balldin/T Morgan ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05633VX), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [David Brown/U Balldin/T Morgan ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05633VX), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [David Brown/U Balldin/T Morgan ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05633VX), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The non-certificated pilot reported that he was flying low and slow over a field looking for a model airplane that he had lost the day before. He was returning to his private airstrip, flying low and slow over trees, when the airplane stalled. Before he could recover from the aerodynamic stall the landing gear contacted the trees, and the airplane fell to the ground. He reported that there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane and that the accident was all pilot error. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1836E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1836E), registered now, S/N 7-5983, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DAVID BROWN/U BALLDIN/T MORGAN ZENITH STOL CH701
- Registry model: [David Brown/U Balldin/T Morgan ZENITH STOL CH701](https://openairdocs.org/model/david-brown-u-balldin-t-morgan-zenith-stol-ch701) (registry code 05633VX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jabiru 2200A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-2200a) (registry code 34803, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7-5983
- Year built: 2015
- Engines: JABIRU 2200A 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: KOPL, 13 nm away
- METAR: METAR KOPL 250055Z AUTO 21005KT 10SM CLR 31/25 A2995 RMK AO2 T03120245=

## 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 20230624009209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230624009209A), Jun 24, 2023: David Brown/U Balldin/T Morgan ZENITH STOL CH701, Arnaudville, LA, Substantial damage. The uncertificated pilot was maneuvering looking for his rc aircraft that he had lost next to his private airstrip. After not finding rc aircraft the pilot…

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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