# NTSB GAA16CA167: Sewell William K Zodiac 601, N601BZ, Clarksville, VA, March 29, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 29, 2016, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Clarksville, VA - Coordinates: 36.593887, -78.560836 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5939&lon=-78.5608&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Richmond FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92914 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92914/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92914 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA167 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane drifting to the left of the runway and impacting trees. ## 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: [Sewell William K ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05622L0), [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: [Sewell William K ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05622L0), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Sewell William K ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05622L0), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Sewell William K ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05622L0), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff the airplane began to drift to the left immediately after rotation. The pilot further reported that he applied right aileron, but the drift continued and the airplane's left main landing gear struck a tree within a tree line about 100 feet to the left of the runway. After the impact, the airplane sank further into the trees and came to rest slightly nose high and left wing down. The fuselage, both wings, and horizontal stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff the airplane began to drift to the left immediately after rotation. The pilot further reported that he applied right aileron, but the drift continued and the airplane's left main landing gear struck a tree within a tree line about 100 feet to the left of the runway. After the impact, the airplane sank further into the trees and came to rest slightly nose high and left wing down. The fuselage, both wings, and horizontal stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N601BZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N601BZ-2016-05-25), registration cancelled 2016-05-25, S/N 6-4930, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SEWELL WILLIAM K ZODIAC 601 (XL) - Registry model: [Sewell William K ZODIAC 601 XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/sewell-william-k-zodiac-601-xl) (registry code 05622L0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34801, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-4930 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 264.6 - Engines: JABIRU 3300A 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 2015 - Departed: W63, Clarksville, VA - Destination: W63, Clarksville, VA - Airport: W63, Lake Country Regional, runway 04, 4,488 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 15, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 474 total, 265 in this make and model, 365 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KW63 ## 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 20160329002349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160329002349A), Mar 29, 2016: Sewell William K ZODIAC 601 XL, Clarksville, VA, Substantial damage. Aircraft drifted left of runway centerline after rotation, stalled and crashed into wooded area. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92914. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439490&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 250 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439491&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%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.