# NTSB ERA12LA171: Moore Byron J Zealot, N61ZT, Minneola, FL, February 6, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 6, 2012, 10:39 local (15:39 UTC) - Place: Minneola, FL - Coordinates: 28.6275, -81.80278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6275&lon=-81.8028&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Orlando FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82826 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82826/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82826 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA171 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed on the base leg for landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Moore Byron J ZEALOT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05903K3), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Moore Byron J ZEALOT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05903K3), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Moore Byron J ZEALOT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05903K3), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Moore Byron J ZEALOT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05903K3), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Moore Byron J ZEALOT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05903K3), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he departed the airport and flew to a training area to conduct flight-testing (the airplane had recently been rebuilt), including some power-on stalls. According to the operating specifications, the glider was supposed to stall at 48 mph with the power on; however, the pilot stated that the glider would stall at 63 mph. However, the airspeed indicator had not been checked for accuracy. He returned to the airport and descended on a left base leg of the traffic pattern for runway 18. The glider was about 100 feet above ground level when the left wing and nose pitched down violently and stalled. There was insufficient altitude to recover and the glider collided with trees and the ground. The pilot stated that the glider did not experience any mechanical problems before the accident, and postcrash examination of the aircraft and engine showed no signs of a mechanical failure or malfunction. Although the pilot stated that the glider was flying at 70 mph at the time of the accident, it is likely that the airspeed indicator was inaccurate and that he was operating at a much lower speed, which resulted in the aerodynamic stall. ## Factual narrative On February 6, 2012, at 1039 eastern standard time, an experimental, amateur-built Silhouette Zealot motorized glider impacted terrain about 300 feet south of runway 18, while on approach to Florida Flying Gators Ultra light Flight park (3FD4), Minneola, Florida. The glider was registered to a private owner and operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The glider sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The certificated private glider pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated from 3FD4 at 0926. The pilot stated he departed the airport and flew to his training area and conducted some power-on stalls. According to the operating specifications, the glider was supposed to stall at 48 mph with the power on; however, the glider was stalling at 63 mph. He further stated his airspeed indicator had not been checked for accuracy. He returned to the airport and descended on a left base leg of the traffic pattern for runway 18. The glider was about 100 feet above ground level when the left wing and nose pitched down violently and stalled. There was insufficient altitude to recover and the glider collided with trees and the ground. The pilot stated the glider did not experience any mechanical problems before the accident. A witness stated he observed the glider making a left turn on final approach. He observed the left wing of the glider drop down and the nose of the glider drop straight down. He then heard the pilot yell over the radio frequency "Oh No." There were no further radio communications. The witness went to the crash site and removed the pilot from the glider. Emergency personnel arrived and transported the pilot to a hospital. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed the nose section of the glider was separated rearward to the forward cabin area. The propeller spinner was damaged and exhibited evidence of rotation. The composite propeller blade was destroyed. The engine assembly separated from its mounts. The engine cowling was fragmented. The composite nose leg was fragmented and remained partially attached to the airframe. The canopy was destroyed. The cabin area was compressed aft; the cabin seats, seat belts and shoulder harness remained intact and were in use at the time of the accident. The fuel tank located behind the pilot's seat was not ruptured and contained automotive fuel of an unmeasured quantity. The instrument panel was detached from the airframe. The throttle was in the open position. The HOBBS meter indicated 2.1 hours. Continuity of the flight controls was confirmed to all flight control surfaces. Examination of the engine showed no evidence of precrash failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61ZT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61ZT-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 061 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOORE BYRON J ZEALOT - Registry model: [Moore Byron J ZEALOT](https://openairdocs.org/model/moore-byron-j-zealot) (registry code 05903K3) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 061 - Airframe hours: 202 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Griffith Fredric P - Registered owner: Griffith Fredric P - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 16, 2012, 1 hours before - Departed: 3FD4, Minneola, FL - Destination: 3FD4, Minneola, FL - Airport: 3FD4, Florida Flying Gators, runway 18, 1,600 × 70 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Other flight crew; age 73; injuries: serious; private; last flight review January 9, 2012; seat: front; flight hours: 1,106 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,106 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: LEE, 11 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 20120206001189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120206001189A), Feb 6, 2012: Moore Byron J ZEALOT, Mineola, FL, Substantial damage. Witnesses reported that at aprox. 10:39 am they watched [privacy data omitted] began his landing approach from the north, approx. ¾ mile from the air strip.… ## Other investigations on N61ZT (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA09LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA238), Apr 9, 2009: Byron J. Moore Zealot (N61ZT), Clermont, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the previous owner's improper servicing of the engine oil. ## Docket (12 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 27, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82826. 9.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363523&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363200&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363524&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Zealot Performance Data (item 4, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363525&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Zealot%20Performance%20Data-Master.PDF - Extract Pilot Logbook (item 5, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363198&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20Pilot%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF - Flight Review Pilot (item 6, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362596&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Review%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Extract Engine and Airframe Logbook (item 7, .PDF, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364619&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20Engine%20and%20Airframe%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF - Groveland Police Report (item 8, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363199&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Groveland%20Police%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 Front view of airplane at rest. Photo FAA (item 9, .PDF, 589 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362597&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2 Right side view of airplane at rest. Photo FAA (item 10, .PDF, 741 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362598&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20Right%20side%20view%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 3 Right rear view of tail section. Photo FAA (item 11, .PDF, 427 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362599&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20Right%20rear%20view%20of%20tail%20section.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 4 View of HOBBS time at accident site. Photo FAA (item 12, .PDF, 535 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362604&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20View%20of%20HOBBS%20time%20at%20accident%20site.%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.