# NTSB DEN07CA107: Truitt Peter Zenair CH 701SP, N281Z, Mountain View, WY, June 24, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 24, 2007, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Mountain View, WY
- Coordinates: 41.45, -110.566665
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4500&lon=-110.5667&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66088/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA107

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during cruise flight resulting in an impact with terrain.  Contributing factors were the wind gust and high density altitude.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The purpose of the flight was to deliver the airplane to a new owner in California.  Prior to departure, he checked the weather via computer and had the airplane refueled.  The pilot reported "the flight was routine and I was cruising at 8,500 [feet mean sea level] and 80 [miles per hour indicated airspeed] with the landing gear retracted in the floats.  Approximately 55 minutes into the flight and over flat terrain with no trees...I encountered an extreme wind gust which caused a severe right yaw, a left bank of approximately 45 degrees, and severe sink...Engine power was full.  I could not regain aircraft control or stop the descent.  The yaw attitude switched violently from right to left yaw."  Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain and was destroyed by post-impact fire.  The airplane came to rest in a open field at an estimated elevation of 7,500 feet.  The pilot's calculated density altitude was 11,800 feet, and he reported the wind was from 220 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 24 knots.  The pilot stated that the airplane had no mechanical problems during the flight, and he had accumulated 4 hours in the accident airplane.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to deliver the airplane to a new owner in California.  Prior to departure, he checked the weather via computer and had the airplane refueled.  The pilot reported "the flight was routine and I was cruising at 8,500 [feet mean sea level] and 80 [miles per hour indicated airspeed] with the landing gear retracted in the floats.  Approximately 55 minutes into the flight and over flat terrain with no trees...I encountered an extreme wind gust which caused a severe right yaw, a left bank of approximately 45 degrees, and severe sink...Engine power was full.  I could not regain aircraft control or stop the descent.  The yaw attitude switched violently from right to left yaw."  Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain and was destroyed by post-impact fire.  The airplane came to rest in a open field at an estimated elevation of 7,500 feet.  The pilot's calculated density altitude was 11,800 feet, and he reported the wind was from 220 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 24 knots.  During a telephone call with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on the day of the accident, the pilot declined to report the accident circumstances; however, he stated that the airplane had no mechanical problems during the flight.  The pilot reported he had accumulated 4 hours in the accident airplane.  The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N281Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N281Z-2007-11-01), registration cancelled 2007-11-01, S/N 7-9565, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Truitt Peter Zenair CH 701SP
- Registry model: [Truitt Peter ZENAIR CH 701SP](https://openairdocs.org/model/truitt-peter-zenair-ch-701sp) (registry code 056170T) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7-9565
- Engines: Rotax 912 ULS reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Aaron W. Kahn
- Registered owner: Chemical Solutions, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: RKS, ROCK SPRINGS, WY
- Destination: 36U, HEBER CITY, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 4,683 total, 4 in this make and model, 101 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F

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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