# NTSB CHI99LA228: Mcmillan Zodiac CH 601 HD, N6781Z, Nauvoo, IL, July 12, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 1999, 19:15 local (Jul 12, 1999, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Nauvoo, IL - Coordinates: 40.539722, -91.37944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5397&lon=-91.3794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46801 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46801/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA228 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to follow the airplane checklist to pin the canopy before departure, resulting in the opening of the canopy on take off and the subsequent aerodynamic stall and ground collision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - window,canopy - not secured (contributing factor) - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - window,canopy - open (contributing factor) - stall - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot stated he was distracted during his pre-departure checklist procedures and forgot to pin the canopy. During the take off roll, as the airplane lifted off the runway the canopy popped open, resulting in excessive drag and an aerodynamic stall. The airplane then collided with the ground on the edge of a pond and nosed over into the water. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 1999, at 1915 central daylight time, a McMillan Zodiac CH 601 HD, N6781Z, operated and piloted by a private pilot, impacted terrain and a pond after takeoff from runway 27 (2,600 feet X 70 feet/dry asphalt and turf) at Cedar Ridge Airport, Nauvoo, Illinois. The pilot and passenger reported minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the 14 CFR Part 91 flight. The airplane was not operating on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he was distracted during his checklist procedures. His boom mike was loose and he tightened the fastener holding it on. The pilot said that this distraction allowed him to forget to pin the canopy. He stated that he started his departure down the runway and he rotated the airplane at about 70 knots. The pilot said that the canopy popped open causing excessive drag. He said that the drag caused a "...left wing down turning stall". He said that the airplane impacted nose down on the edge of a pond and flipped over into the pond. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6781Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6781Z-2019-07-05), registration cancelled 2019-07-05, S/N 6-3226 HD, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCMILLAN ZODIAC CH 601 HD (ZODIAC CH) - Registry model: [Mcmillan Robert D JR ZODIAT CH 601 HD](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcmillan-robert-d-jr-zodiat-ch-601-hd) (registry code 05604AM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-3226HD - Airframe hours: 121 - Engines: Rotax 912 UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert D. Mcmillan Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 1998, 35 hours before - Departed: 9IS0 - Destination: BRL, BURLINGTON, IA - Airport: 9IS0, Ceader Ridge Airport, runway 27, 2,600 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 196 total, 121 in this make and model, 196 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EOK, 7 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 19990711017749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990711017749A), Jul 11, 1999: Amtr CH601HD, Nauvoo, IL, Substantial damage. (.19)On July 11, 1999, at 1915 central daylight time, a mcmillan zodiac ch 601 hd, N6781Z, piloted by a private pilot, impacted terrain and a pond after… 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.