# NTSB ERA20CA189: Zenith Zodiac CH 650, N149WF, Carthage, NC, May 16, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 16, 2020, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Carthage, NC - Coordinates: 35.341667, -79.436943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3417&lon=-79.4369&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101300 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101300/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101300 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA189 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point during landing with a tail wind, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas P Neal ZODIAC CH 650, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05632ZN), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas P Neal ZODIAC CH 650, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05632ZN), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas P Neal ZODIAC CH 650, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=05632ZN), [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. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Thomas P Neal ZODIAC CH 650, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=05632ZN), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Thomas P Neal ZODIAC CH 650, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05632ZN), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Thomas P Neal ZODIAC CH 650, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05632ZN), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the airplane reported that, while landing, a gust of tail wind pushed the airplane and he landed long. The airplane then exited the end of the runway and impacted vegetation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An airport's automated weather observation station located 7 miles to the south-east, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 4 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the airplane reported that, while landing, a gust of tail wind pushed the airplane and he landed long. The airplane then exited the end of the runway and impacted vegetation.The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An airport's automated weather observation station located 7 miles to the south-east, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N149WF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N149WF-2020-07-06), registration cancelled 2020-07-06, S/N 65-8434, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Zenith ZODIAC CH 650 (No Series) - Registry model: [Thomas P Neal ZODIAC CH 650](https://openairdocs.org/model/thomas-p-neal-zodiac-ch-650) (registry code 05632ZN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Viking 110](https://openairdocs.org/engine/viking-110) (registry code 63700, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 65-8434 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 368 - Engines: Viking Aircraft Engines 130 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 28, 2019 - Departed: NC25, Gold Hill, NC - Destination: BQ1, Carthage, NC - Airport: BQ1, Gilliam - Mc Connell Airfield, runway 13, 2,538 × 36 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review November 25, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 440 total, 395 in this make and model, 403 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: SOP, 7 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 20200516000989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200516000989A), May 16, 2020: Thomas P Neal ZODIAC CH 650, Carthage, NC, Minor damage. N149WF was attempting to land on runway 13 at BQ1. The pilot stated that he touched down with too much airspeed and could not stop the aircraft on the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101300. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 835 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484952&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Phone Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484953&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Damage Photo (item 3, .PDF, 215 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484954&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20Photo-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.