# NTSB ERA12CA588: Henrie Raymond Zenith CH 701 Stol, N234RH, Ashland, MS, September 29, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 29, 2012, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Ashland, MS
- Coordinates: 34.808334, -89.193054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8083&lon=-89.1931&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 85238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA588
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85238/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85238
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA588

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions during initial climb, which resulted in an impact with trees and terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Henrie Raymond ZENITH CH 701 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=056288T), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Henrie Raymond ZENITH CH 701 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056288T), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Henrie Raymond ZENITH CH 701 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=056288T), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Course deviation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281); cases with it: [Henrie Raymond ZENITH CH 701 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281/sequence.md?model=056288T), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Henrie Raymond ZENITH CH 701 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=056288T), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Henrie Raymond ZENITH CH 701 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056288T), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Henrie Raymond ZENITH CH 701 STOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056288T), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot’s statement, just before takeoff, he noted that the windsock was “still” and initiated his takeoff roll. About 15 to 20 feet above ground level (agl), the flight encountered a left crosswind causing the airplane to go to the right. The pilot corrected by immediately applying left aileron and left rudder control inputs, then removed the aileron and rudder control inputs. The flight continued and about 30 feet agl, the flight encountered another wind gust that pushed the airplane to the right “faster” than the pilot could apply corrections. The right wingtip impacted a treetop causing the airplane to reverse its direction, descend rapidly, and impact the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Weather data recorded around the time of the accident at the nearest observation facility indicated wind from 30 degrees at 9 knots. A representative of the airplane designer reported that a 5- to 10-knot crosswind is well within the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind limitation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was attempting to depart the airport to return home in the experimental light sport aircraft. According to the pilot’s statement, just before takeoff, he noted that the windsock was “still” and initiated his takeoff roll. About 20 feet above ground level (agl), the flight encountered a left crosswind causing the airplane to go to the right. He corrected by immediately applying left aileron and left rudder control inputs, then removed the aileron and rudder control inputs. The flight continued and about 30 feet agl, the flight encountered another wind gust that pushed the airplane to the right “faster” than he could apply corrections. The right wingtip impacted a treetop causing the airplane to reverse its direction, descend rapidly, and impact the ground causing structural damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions. A representative of the airplane designer reported to NTSB that a 10 knot crosswind is well within the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind limitation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N234RH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N234RH-2012-10-31), registration cancelled 2012-10-31, S/N 7-6049, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HENRIE RAYMOND ZENITH CH 701 STOL
- Registry model: [Henrie Raymond ZENITH CH 701 STOL](https://openairdocs.org/model/henrie-raymond-zenith-ch-701-stol) (registry code 056288T) (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: 7-6049
- Airframe hours: 62
- Engines: HIRTH F-30 105 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henrie Raymond
- Registered owner: Henrie Raymond
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 2012, 50 hours before
- Departed: MS14, Ashland, MS
- Destination: 4TN9, Beech Bluff, TN
- Airport: MS14, John Farese Airpark, runway 05, 2,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; last flight review May 1, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 308 total, 61 in this make and model, 235 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: CRX, 30 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 20120929024539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120929024539A), Sep 29, 2012: Henrie Raymond ZENITH CH 701 STOL, Ashland, MS, Substantial damage. On 9-26-2012 at approximately 1315, N234RH, a zenith 701 homebuilt aircraft crashed into trees on take-off from MS14, a private grass airstrip. The aircraft…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85238. 8.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379132&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379128&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- NTSB Record of Conversations (item 3, .PDF, 318 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379311&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Record%20of%20Conversations-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Depicting the Wreckage at the Accident Site. (item 4, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380434&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Depicting%20the%20Wreckage%20at%20the%20Accident%20Site.-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Depicting the Inboard Sections of Both Wings Noting Structural Damage. (item 5, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380438&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Depicting%20the%20Inboard%20Sections%20of%20Both%20Wings%20Noting%20Structural%20Damage.-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.

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