# NTSB ERA13CA233: Hughes Charles R Zodiac 601XL, N418CM, Meriden, CT, May 7, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 7, 2013, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Meriden, CT - Coordinates: 41.508609, -72.829444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5086&lon=-72.8294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86845 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA233 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86845/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86845 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA233 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land with a tailwind and his failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Charles R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056235R), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Charles R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056235R), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Charles R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=056235R), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Charles R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=056235R), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Hughes Charles R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=056235R), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes Charles R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056235R), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Hughes Charles R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056235R), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Hughes Charles R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056235R), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he landed with a tailwind and that the airplane touched down farther down the runway than usual. When the pilot applied brakes to exit the runway onto the taxiway, the tires skidded, and the airplane pivoted to the left before coming to rest inverted. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the left and right wings and to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. He further stated that he was fatigued, had “rushed” the landing approach, and had not taken time to properly evaluate the wind conditions prior to landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he landed with a tailwind, and that the airplane touched down further down the runway than usual. When the pilot applied brakes to exit the runway onto the taxiway, the tires skidded and the airplane pivoted around to the left before coming to rest inverted. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to both left and right wings and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. He further stated that he was fatigued, had “rushed” the landing approach, and had not taken time to properly evaluate the wind conditions prior to landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N418CM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N418CM), registered now, S/N 6-6450, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES CHARLES R ZODIAC 601XL - Registry model: [Hughes Charles R ZODIAC 601XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-charles-r-zodiac-601xl) (registry code 056235R) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34802, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-6450 - Airframe hours: 117 - Engines: Jabiru 3300A 107 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hughes Charles R - Registered owner: Hughes Charles R - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 23, 2012 - Departed: MMK, Meriden, CT - Destination: MMK, Meriden, CT - Airport: MMK, Meriden Markham Municipal, runway 36, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 12, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 401 total, 84 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: MMK ## 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 20130507009219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130507009219A), May 7, 2013: Hughes Charles R ZODIAC 601XL, Meriden, CT, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed downwind on runway 36. Weather reported by yankee TRACON reported winds at 1753Z were 180/08 G14 knots, 10 sm, SCT047, SCT055, 24/12 A3012.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86845. 7.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 460 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393439&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393440&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane as it came to rest (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 7.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393441&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Courtesy%20of%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.