# NTSB ERA09LA193: Burkholder Jimmy C Zodiac 601HD, N601DE, Live Oak, FL, March 10, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 10, 2009, 12:49 local (16:49 UTC) - Place: Live Oak, FL - Coordinates: 30.299999, -83.024444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3000&lon=-83.0244&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73470 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73470/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73470 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA193 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control of the airplane for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Burkholder Jimmy C ZODIAC 601 HD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05611RE), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Burkholder Jimmy C ZODIAC 601 HD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=05611RE), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Burkholder Jimmy C ZODIAC 601 HD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05611RE), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis Two witnesses observed the experimental airplane flying overhead and noticed smoke coming from its front and underside. One of the witnesses reported that one wing was lower than the other and that the airplane was "loud." No radar data was available to determine the airplane’s flight path; examination of the airplane revealed that it impacted a tree with one wing, then impacted the ground at the base of the tree with the top half of the tree embedded in the fuselage. There was no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomaly; however, the airplane was completely consumed by a postcrash fire. Examination of the pilot’s logbook revealed a total of 249 hours of flight experience. In the previous 9 years he logged 18 hours, including a 5-year period of time with no flight time logged. The pilot was also the builder and repairman for the airplane. His most recent entry in the airframe logbook was for a routine conditional inspection 5 months prior to the accident, at an aircraft total time of 249 hours. The origin of the smoke could not be determined; however, it could have affected the pilot's ability to control the airplane. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 10, 2009, at 1249 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Zodiac 601HD, N601DE, was destroyed during impact with the ground and postcrash fire in Live Oak, Florida. The passenger was fatally injured and the pilot initially sustained serious injuries. The pilot succumbed to his injuries on April 5, 2009. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane departed around 1200 from Suwannee County Airport (24J), Live Oak, Florida. It impacted a field about 7 miles to the west of the airport. The intended route of flight was unknown and the airplane could not be identified through radar data. Additionally, the pilot did not request a preflight weather briefing or file a flight plan. The only witnesses to the accident were two 5-year-old boys playing in their backyard. According to the witnesses, they observed the airplane flying overhead and noticed smoke coming from the front and underside of the airplane. One of the witnesses reported one wing was lower than the other and "it was loud." PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 68, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. He also held an experimental repairman builder certificate for the accident airplane. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on June 22, 2006. At that time, the pilot reported 500 hours of total flight experience. Examination of the pilot's logbook revealed entries from July 2, 1988 to March 20, 2007. During that time, the pilot logged 298 hours of total flight experience. He logged 280 hours of flight experience from 1988 to 1998, and then no entries from 1998 to 2001. The first entry in 2001 was for a flight review on October 29, 2001, followed by one entry for 16 hours accumulated from November 2001 to January 2002. The next and final entry in the logbook was on March 20, 2007 for another flight review. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The Zodiac was a low-wing monoplane with two occupant seats installed in a side-by-side design. It was powered by a Franklin 4A235B31 engine. According to FAA records, the pilot was the builder of the airplane, and the airplane was issued an airworthiness certificate on November 27, 2001. Examination of the airframe logbook revealed entries from November 27, 2001 to October 2008 (day not specified). All entries were made by the pilot/repairman. The last entry, on "October 2008" detailed a routine conditional inspection with no anomalies noted, and an aircraft total time of 249 hours. The entry also stated that, as of that date, the airplane was "now a light sport aircraft." However, the FAA official file for the airplane did not indicate the change. The engine logbook was not located. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The weatherrecorded at Valdosta Regional Airport (VLD), Valdosta, Georgia, 31 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, at 1253, included winds from 170 degrees at 4 knots, 10 miles visibility, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, temperature 26 degrees, dew point 12 degrees, and altimeter setting 30.19 inches mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane was examined after the accident by an FAA inspector. According to the inspector, the airplane impacted a tree with one wing, and then impacted the ground at the base of the tree with the top half of the tree embedded in the fuselage. The airplane was completely consumed by the postcrash fire with the exception of the tail section. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the rudder and horizontal stabilizer to the cockpit area. The engine could not be examined due to the severe postcrash fire, and the composite propeller was "shattered." MEDICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION The pilot was transported to the hospital after the accident with critical injuries. He remained in the hospital and succumbed to his injuries 26 days after the accident. An autopsy was performed by the Office of the Medical Examiner, Gainesville, Florida, on April 6, 2009. The cause of death was listed as "complications of a plane crash." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N601DE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N601DE-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N 6-3525, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BURKHOLDER JIMMY C Zodiac 601HD - Registry model: [Burkholder Jimmy C ZODIAC 601 HD](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkholder-jimmy-c-zodiac-601-hd) (registry code 05611RE) (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: 6-3525 - Airframe hours: 249 - Engines: Franklin 4A235B31 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Burkholder Jimmy C - Registered owner: Burkholder Jimmy C - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 1, 2008 - Departed: 24J, Live Oak, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 20, 2007; flight hours: 298 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: VLD, 31 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 20090310005319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090310005319A), Mar 10, 2009: Burkho ZODIAC601HD, Live Oak, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. (-23) N601DE, on sw heading 1 mile north of 76th st. Live Oak, FL. Brushed tree line on north side of road went under 40 ft. powerline and impacted tree on… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73470. 4.1 MB in all. - Interview Summaries (item 1, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327390&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Pilot Logbook (excerpt) (item 2, .PDF, 994 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324372&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Logbook%20(excerpt)-Redacted.PDF - Aircraft Log (excerpt) (item 3, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324480&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Log%20(excerpt)-Redacted.PDF - Flight Plan Information (item 4, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327389&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Plan%20Information-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Aircraft from front right (photo courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324481&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Aircraft%20from%20front%20right%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Aircraft from left (photo courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324482&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Aircraft%20from%20left%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Engine (photo courtesy of insurance company) (item 7, .PDF, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324483&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Engine%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20insurance%20company)-Master.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.