# NTSB ERA14CA189: Moore Thomas O Zenith Stol CH701, N12369, Frostproof, FL, April 8, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 8, 2014, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Frostproof, FL
- Coordinates: 27.657499, -81.462501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6575&lon=-81.4625&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89033/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89033
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA189

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed decision to divert due to deteriorating weather.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Moore Thomas O ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056282F), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Moore Thomas O ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056282F), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Moore Thomas O ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=056282F), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Moore Thomas O ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=056282F), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Ceiling/visibility/precip](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Moore Thomas O ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035000/cases.md?model=056282F), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035000/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Moore Thomas O ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=056282F), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Enroute: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401); cases with it: [Moore Thomas O ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=056282F), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Moore Thomas O ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056282F), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Moore Thomas O ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056282F), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Moore Thomas O ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056282F), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he obtained weather information via the Internet prior to departing on a cross-country flight. Additionally, during the flight, he monitored automated weather reports via radio. About 2 hours into the flight, when the airplane was 17 miles from the destination airport, the wind increased to 25 knots and rain began. The pilot performed a 180-degree turn; however, the rain and turbulence increased, along with a decrease in visibility and ceiling height. The pilot then performed a precautionary landing on a road. About 200 feet into the landing roll, the airplane veered left off the road and struck an orange tree, which separated the right wing. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and that he should have reversed course 20 minutes sooner.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he obtained weather information via the Internet prior to departing on a cross-country flight. Additionally, during the flight, he monitored automated weather reports via radio. About 2 hours into the flight, when the airplane was 17 miles from the destination airport, the wind increased to 25 knots and rain began. The pilot performed a 180-degree turn; however, the rain and turbulence increased, along with a decrease in visibility and ceiling height. The pilot then performed a precautionary landing on a road. About 200 feet into the landing roll, the airplane veered left off the road and struck an orange tree, which separated the right wing. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and that he should have reversed course 20 minutes sooner.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12369](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12369), registered now, S/N 7-5893, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOORE THOMAS O ZENITH STOL CH701
- Registry model: [Moore Thomas O ZENITH STOL CH701](https://openairdocs.org/model/moore-thomas-o-zenith-stol-ch701) (registry code 056282F) (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: 7-5893
- Year built: 2010
- Airframe hours: 101
- Engines: Rotax 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeff Badgero
- Registered owner: Hope Missions
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, December 20, 2013, 45 hours before
- Departed: X35, Dunnellon, FL
- Destination: SEF, Sebring, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 26, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 350 total, 61 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: BOW, 15 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 20140408005659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140408005659A), Apr 8, 2014: Moore Thomas O ZENITH STOL CH701, Avon Park, FL, Substantial damage. Avon Park Florida, N12369, zenith CH701,VFR,X35-FPR, enroute to fpr encountered bad weather and made an emergency landing on a dirt road(3748 oak island road,…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89033. 5.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411628&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Report (item 2, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411629&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF
- Photo - Right Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411630&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Right%20Wing%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.

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