# NTSB CHI04LA249: Johnson-Moore Zenith CH 701, N2077Y, Galena, MO, September 4, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 4, 2004, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Galena, MO - Coordinates: 37.245555, -93.38861 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2456&lon=-93.3886&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA, Kansas City, MO FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60073 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA249 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60073/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA249 ## Probable cause A loss of directional control for undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident was the tree that the airplane contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane collided with a tree following a loss of directional control while landing on a private airstrip. The pilot reported that after touching down, the airplane made an immediate hard left swerve. The airplane traveled off the left side of the airstrip where it contacted a 12-inch diameter tree. He stated the tree was located approximately 50 yards off the side of the airstrip. The pilot reported the windsock on the airstrip was indicating little to no wind at the time. Approximately one year prior to this accident, the pilot and airplane were involved in a similar occurrence where the airplane veered sharply to the left after touchdown and traveled into tall brush. The pilot stated they inspected the brake system after that occurrence and they did not find any problems with it. He stated they repaired the airplane and he flew it three or four times prior to this accident. ## Factual narrative On September 4, 2004, at 1600 central daylight time, a Johnson-Moore Zenith CH 701, N2077Y, collided with a tree following a loss of directional control while landing to the north on a private airstrip (1,300 feet by 300 feet, dry grass) in Galena, Missouri. The commercial rated pilot received serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Aurora, Missouri, approximately 20 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported during a telephone interview that after touching down, the airplane made an immediate hard left swerve. The airplane traveled off the left side of the airstrip where it contacted a 12-inch diameter tree. He stated the tree was located approximately 50 yards off the side of the airstrip. The pilot reported the windsock on the airstrip was indicating little to no wind at the time. Approximately one year prior to this accident, the pilot and airplane were involved in a similar occurrence where the airplane veered sharply to the left after touchdown and traveled into tall brush. The pilot stated they inspected the brake system after that occurrence and they did not find any problems with it. He stated they repaired the airplane and he flew it three or four times prior to this accident. Winds reported at the Springfield - Branson Regional Airport (SGF), Springfield, Missouri, located 32 statute miles north of the accident site, about 8 minutes prior to the accident, were from 120 degrees at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2077Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2077Y-2006-06-19), registration cancelled 2006-06-19, S/N 74557, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Johnson-Moore Zenith CH 701 - Registry model: [Johnson J R/Moore J E JR ZENITH CH 701](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-j-r-moore-j-e-jr-zenith-ch-701) (registry code 05614V0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 74557 - Airframe hours: 8 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John R. Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 2H2, Aurora, MO - Destination: PVT, Galena, MO - Airport: Pvt, runway 36, 1,300 × 300 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 8 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: SGF, 32 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 20040904022509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040904022509A), Sep 4, 2004: Amtr CH701, Galena, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated he was landing to the north on his Private airstrip, since it was uphill and the trees are lower and further away than when landing… 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.