# NTSB GAA16CA098: Johnson Glenn L Zodiac 601 XL, N676L, Chesapeake, VA, January 2, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 2, 2016, 12:58 local (17:58 UTC) - Place: Chesapeake, VA - Coordinates: 36.665554, -76.320556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6656&lon=-76.3206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92551 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92551/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92551 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA098 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing, causing the airplane to bounce and the nose gear to collapse, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall and frame. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Johnson Glenn L ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05627NF), [All aircraft, 528 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Johnson Glenn L ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=05627NF), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Johnson Glenn L ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05627NF), [All aircraft, 9,308 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. - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Johnson Glenn L ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05627NF), [All aircraft, 1,514 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Johnson Glenn L ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05627NF), [All aircraft, 1,789 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Johnson Glenn L ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05627NF), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the tricycle landing gear equipped airplane, he was performing a normal approach and landing to an asphalt runway. He reported that after accomplishing the landing flare he recalled "jockeying" the stick in order to get closer to the runway. The airplane touched down, bounced three times and the pilot added power. The airplane struck the ground a fourth time and the nose gear collapsed. The pilot reported that the airplane skidded down the center of the runway and came to a halt. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and frame. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the tricycle landing gear equipped airplane, he was performing a normal approach and landing to an asphalt runway. He reported that after accomplishing the landing flare he recalled "jockeying" the stick in order to get closer to the runway. The airplane touched down, bounced three times and the pilot added power. The airplane struck the ground a fourth time and the nose gear collapsed. The pilot reported that the airplane skidded down the center of the runway and came to a halt. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and frame. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N676L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N676L), registered now, S/N 6-4893, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JOHNSON GLENN L ZODIAC 601 XL (B) - Registry model: [Johnson Glenn L ZODIAC 601 XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-glenn-l-zodiac-601-xl) (registry code 05627NF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-200A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200a) (registry code 17404, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-4893 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 109.1 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200-A48 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Johnson Glenn L - Registered owner: Johnson Glenn L - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 23, 2015 - Departed: CPK, Chesapeake, VA - Destination: CPK, Chesapeake, VA - Airport: CPK, Chesapeake Rgnl, runway 23, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 16, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 190 total, 98 in this make and model, 113 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KCPK ## 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 20160102007539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160102007539A), Jan 2, 2016: Johnson Glenn L ZODIAC 601 XL, Substantial damage. Aircraft suffered a nosegear break after an unsuccesful landing attempt. Aircraft received substantial damage to the nosegear and mounting stucture. The… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 11, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92551. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437662&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 476 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437663&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.