# NTSB ERA11LA300: Carothers Zenith CH701, N433UB, Tidioute, PA, May 13, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 13, 2011, 16:32 local (20:32 UTC) - Place: Tidioute, PA - Coordinates: 41.663055, -79.403335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6631&lon=-79.4033&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Allegheny FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79099 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA300 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79099/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79099 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA300 ## Probable cause The pilot's impairment due to alcohol and failure to maintain altitude on approach to landing, resulting in an in-flight collision with a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Carothers James R JR ZENTH CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05630KJ), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Impairment/incapacitation: alcohol](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Carothers James R JR ZENTH CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md?model=05630KJ), [All aircraft, 87 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Carothers James R JR ZENTH CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05630KJ), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Carothers James R JR ZENTH CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05630KJ), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Carothers James R JR ZENTH CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05630KJ), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Carothers James R JR ZENTH CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05630KJ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot stated that he had been operating the experimental light sport airplane at a low altitude with a passenger. As he turned into the final approach to land at his private strip, the right wing collided with a tree. The airplane rolled right, he added power, the nose of the airplane pitched down, and the airplane collided with the ground and nosed over inverted. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories revealed no preaccident anomalies. Witnesses reported that the pilot had been flying low over the area prior to the accident. Additionally, prior to returning for landing at his private airstrip, the pilot had allowed the landing gear to contact the top of a tree at the witness's residence. Postaccident testing of a blood specimen, obtained from the pilot approximately 90 minutes following the accident, was positive for alcohol at 149 mg/dl (0.149 percent). ## Factual narrative On May 13, 2011, at 1632 eastern daylight time, an experimental light sport, Carothers Zenith CH 701 airplane, N433UB, registered to a private owner, collided with a tree while landing at a private strip in the vicinity of Tidioute, Pennsylvania. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot and a passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight originated from the pilot's private strip at 1615. The pilot stated he had been operating the airplane at a low altitude with a passenger. He turned on to final leg to land at his private strip and hit a tree with his right wing. The airplane rolled right, he added power, the nose of the airplane pitched down, he pulled back on the control stick, and the engine continued to run until the airplane collided with the ground in a nose down attitude and nosed over inverted. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane, and that "the accident was caused by pilot error." Witnesses, who live near the pilot's house, stated they had observed the airplane prior to the accident, flying low above the trees. One witness stated the pilot had circled their property and had allowed the wheels of the airplane to touch the top of the trees before he flew along a river and returned. They observed the airplane start a descent, flying east towards the pilot's house, and crossing a highway. The left wing of the airplane struck a tree and the airplane rolled to the left. The nose of the airplane pitched down, the engine continued to run, the airplane collided with the ground, and nosed over inverted. The pilot, age 48, held a private pilot certificate issued on August 2, 2008, with a rating for airplane single-engine land. The pilot did not hold a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) repairman certificate. The pilot's logbook was not located at the crash site. The pilot stated in an interview he had logged 150 total flight hours; of which, 2 hours were in the Zenith CH 701. The pilot had logged 63 hours of pilot-in-command. The pilot had flown 1 hour in the last 90 days and 1 hour in the last 30 days, all in the Zenith CH 701. The pilot was issued a third-class medical certificate on July 2, 2007, with no limitations. The pilot stated he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. Post accident hospital laboratory specimens from the pilot were obtained through a subpoena and forwarded to the FAA Bioaeronautical Research Science Laboratory (CAMI),Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for toxicology screening. The specimens were not tested for carbon monoxide and cyanide. No drugs were detected in the blood. Ethanol, 133 (mg/dl, mg/hg) was detected in the serum and 128 (mg/dl, mg/hg) ethanol was detected in the blood. Testing conducted at the hospital at 1800 hours on the day of the accident indicated that the pilot's blood alcohollevel was 149 mg/dl(0.149 percent). The Zenith CH 701 is a two-place airplane with a tricycle landing gear, serial number 6695, built by the registered owner in 2011. A Volkswagen 2276, 100-horsepower engine powered the airplane. The registered owner stated the airplane did not have any logbooks, a current condition inspection, airworthiness certificate, or approved FAA operating limitations. According to the registered owner the engine had 100 total hours and the airframe had 2 hours at the time of the accident. The HOBBS meter at the accident site showed 2.1 hours. Examination of the crash site revealed the nose section was bent upward 90- degrees. The engine cowling was damaged and remained in place. The propeller assembly remained attached to the propeller crankshaft flange. The wooden propeller blades separated from the propeller hub. One propeller blade was located under the left side of the wreckage. The remaining propeller blade was fragmented and located about 20 feet to the right of the airplane. The engine assembly remained attached to the engine mounts and was displaced to the left. The nose landing gear remained attached to the airframe and was bent aft. The windscreen was destroyed. The cabin area was compressed aft to about 5 feet aft of the cabin seats. The cabin seats remained intact and both seatbelts and shoulder harnesses were in use at the time of the accident. The instrument panel was distorted. The throttle was in the closed position. Continuity of the flight controls was confirmed to all flight control surfaces. The left and right main landing gear remained attached to the airframe. The right wing remained attached to the tubular steel cabin area and was bent upward and pushed aft. The fixed leading edge slats were damaged. The full length flaperon assembly was not damaged. The wing struts remained attached to the wing and the fuselage. The swept up rear fuselage, inverted stabilizer, and left and right elevator were not damaged. The all-flying rudder was damaged. The left wing remained attached to the tubular steel cabin area and was bent upward and pushed aft. The fixed leading edge slats were damaged. The full length flaperon assembly was not damaged. The wing struts remained attached to the wing and the fuselage. A visual examination of the engine assembly and associated components revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N433UB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N433UB-2013-09-25), registration cancelled 2013-09-25, S/N 6695 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Carothers Zenith CH701 - Registry model: [Carothers James R JR ZENTH CH701](https://openairdocs.org/model/carothers-james-r-jr-zenth-ch701) (registry code 05630KJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6695 - Airframe hours: 2 - Engines: Volkswagen 2276 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James R. Carothers Jr. - Registered owner: James R. Carothers Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: Tidioute, PA - Destination: Tidioute, PA - Airport: Private, runway 09, 830 × 100 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 150 total, 2 in this make and model, 63 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 13 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: FKL, 25 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 20110513019289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110513019289A), May 13, 2011: Carothers James R Jr ZENTH CH701, Tidioute, PA, Destroyed. The airplane departed from an unapproved airport, with a passenger, in an airplane that is an amateur home-built airplane. The aircraft was not inspected 0R… ## Docket (15 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 12, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79099. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 310 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348102&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation Carothers (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348103&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20%20Carothers-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation L Coll (item 3, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347883&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20L%20Coll-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation A Coll (item 4, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347885&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20A%20Coll-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation PA State Police (item 5, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349814&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20PA%20State%20Police-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation FAA Medical Records (item 6, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349815&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20FAA%20Medical%20Records-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 7, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 View of private airstrip with accident airplane in background. Photo FAA (item 8, .PDF, 229 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348165&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20View%20of%20private%20airstrip%20with%20accident%20airplane%20in%20background.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2 Diagram of private strip. Photo FAA (item 9, .PDF, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348166&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20Diagram%20of%20private%20strip.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 3 View of initial tree strike with accident airplane in foreground. Photo FAA (item 10, .PDF, 204 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348167&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20View%20of%20initial%20tree%20strike%20with%20accident%20airplane%20in%20foreground.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 4 View of crash site. Photo FAA (item 11, .PDF, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348168&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20View%20of%20crash%20site.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 5 right side view of airplane inverted. Photo FAA (item 12, .PDF, 251 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348169&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20right%20side%20view%20of%20airplane%20inverted.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 6 Close up view of airplane inverted on it's right side. Photo FAA (item 13, .PDF, 179 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348170&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20Close%20up%20view%20of%20airplane%20inverted%20on%20it%27s%20right%20side.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 7 Rear view of airplane. Photo FAA (item 14, .PDF, 160 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348171&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207%20Rear%20view%20of%20airplane.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 8 View of HOBBS meter. Photo FAA (item 15, .PDF, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348172&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208%20View%20of%20HOBBS%20meter.%20Photo%20FAA-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.