# NTSB FTW98LA155: Zito ZMI-A, N669Z, Ogden, UT, March 21, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 21, 1998, 07:33 local (14:33 UTC) - Place: Ogden, UT - Coordinates: 41.150085, -111.979873 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1501&lon=-111.9799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 13, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20559 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20559/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA155 ## Probable cause the improper placement of lead ballast by the pilot, resulting in an improper balance of the airplane; and the pilot's excessive control input to correct a nose high attitude, resulting in ground impact. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot was cleared to runway 03 to perform a high speed taxi. He reportedly told the tower controller that 'if things feel right,' he would fly. The pilot said he attained approximately 80 miles per hour, 'pulled back slowly on the yoke and experienced a sudden nose pitch up. I must have pushed down on the yoke and the nose came down,' and the airplane struck the runway. The airplane began porpoising before striking the runway again and collapsing the nose landing gear. The airplane then skidded to a stop. The pilot said he had placed 90 pounds of lead ballast in the nose area to simulate the weight of a passenger. According to an FAA inspector, the ballast should have been placed in the passenger seat to correctly simulate a passenger on board. ## Factual narrative On March 21, 1998, at 0733 mountain standard time, a Zito ZMI-A, N669Z, was substantially damaged when it became airborne during what was supposed to be a high speed taxi test at Ogden, Utah. The private pilot sustained a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local test flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot designed this one-of-a-kind airplane, and spent the last 25 years in its construction. Construction was completed in 1993 and an experimental certificate of airworthiness was issued. The airplane had accrued 1.1 hours of taxi time, but had yet to be flown. The pilot was cleared to runway 03 to perform a high speed taxi. The pilot reportedly told the tower control controller that "if things feel right," he would fly. According to the pilot's accident report, he attained approximately 80 miles per hour and "pulled back slowly on the yoke [stab. (sic), stabilizer] and experienced a sudden nose pitch up. I must have pushed down on the yoke and the nose came down" and the airplane struck the runway. The airplane began porpoising before striking the runway again and collapsing the nose landing gear. The airplane then skidded to a stop. The pilot said the rear portion of the fuselage was "broken." Witnesses told an FAA inspector that they saw the airplane become airborne and climb to about 10 or 15 feet. The nose pitched up, then down, and the airplane struck the runway. It bounced back into the air. The nose pitched up, then down, struck the runway again, and skidded 687 feet before coming to a halt. There was asphalt damage to the runway. The pilot told the FAA inspector that he had placed 90 pounds of lead ballast in the nose area to simulate a passenger. The inspector pointed out to the pilot that the ballast should have been placed in the passenger seat to correctly simulate a passenger on board. The pilot said his physician told him he had sustained "a hairline fracture of a lumbar vertebra." The pilot indicated in his accident report that his injuries were "none." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N669Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N669Z-2013-04-15), registration cancelled 2013-04-15, S/N ZMI-1000-A, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Zito ZMI-A - Registry model: [Zito Tommy E ZITO ZM1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/zito-tommy-e-zito-zm1a) (registry code 05623XK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: ZMI-1 - Airframe hours: 1 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Tommy E. Zito - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1998, 1 hours before - Departed: OGD - Destination: OGD - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: OGD, Ogden-Hinckley Municipal, runway 3, 8,103 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 4 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OGD ## 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 19980321004089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980321004089A), Mar 21, 1998: Amtr ZITOZMIA, Ogden, UT, Substantial damage. Became airborne on high speed taxi test. Bounced landing. Airborne again. Made hard landing. Broke off nose gear. (.4)the pilot was cleared to runway 03 to… 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.