# NTSB CEN25LA010: Zodiac 601, N601KM, Augusta, KS, October 9, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 9, 2024, 17:34 local (22:34 UTC) - Place: Augusta, KS - Coordinates: 37.720502, -97.047177 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7205&lon=-97.0472&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 195290 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195290/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195290 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA010 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Meiste C/Meiste G ZODIAC 601, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056109Y), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Meiste C/Meiste G ZODIAC 601, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=056109Y), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Meiste C/Meiste G ZODIAC 601, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=056109Y), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Meiste C/Meiste G ZODIAC 601, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056109Y), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Meiste C/Meiste G ZODIAC 601, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056109Y), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Meiste C/Meiste G ZODIAC 601, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056109Y), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Meiste C/Meiste G ZODIAC 601, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056109Y), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll, he inadvertently applied and removed engine power, which resulted in a loss of directional control of the airplane. He was unable to regain control of the airplane. The airplane exited the runway and struck a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, aft fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N601KM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N601KM), registered now, S/N MEISTE-1 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ZODIAC 601 - Registry model: [Meiste C/Meiste G ZODIAC 601](https://openairdocs.org/model/meiste-c-meiste-g-zodiac-601) (registry code 056109Y) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: MEISTE-1 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 315.5 - Engines: Subaru Stratus E81 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 20, 2024, 0.5 hours before - Departed: SN20, Augusta, KS - Destination: SN20, Augusta, KS - Airport: SN20, Brady-Pippin Airport, runway 18/36, 2,000 × 80 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 20, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 284 total, 200 in this make and model, 284 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KAAO, 8 nm away - METAR: METAR KAAO 092254Z AUTO 14007KT 10SM CLR 28/11 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP141 T02830111= ## 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 20241009019249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241009019249A), Oct 9, 2024: Meiste C/Meiste G ZODIAC 601, Augusta, KS, Substantial damage. The pilot reported that after a four-month hiatus from flying and the recent installation of a new throttle and fuel injection system, he took off and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195290. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120 1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18107063&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20CEN25LA010_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18106280&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20CEN25LA010-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.