# NTSB GAA18CA393: Zenair Zenith Stol CH 701, N127VV, San Saba, TX, July 4, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 4, 2018, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: San Saba, TX - Coordinates: 31.237222, -98.719169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2372&lon=-98.7192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97697 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA393 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97697/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97697 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA393 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare during the aborted takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing and a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Kube Robert C ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05614CX), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Kube Robert C ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05614CX), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Kube Robert C ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05614CX), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Kube Robert C ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05614CX), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Kube Robert C ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05614CX), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Kube Robert C ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05614CX), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Kube Robert C ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05614CX), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Kube Robert C ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05614CX), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff, he applied right rudder to counteract the left turning tendencies of the airplane, but the airplane continued left of the runway centerline. He was unable to correct back to the runway centerline when the airplane was about 5 to 10 ft above the ground, so he decided to abort the takeoff and land on the grass left of the runway. During the landing, the airplane landed hard, the nose landing gear "dug" into the grass, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during takeoff, he applied right rudder to counteract the left turning tendencies of the airplane, but the airplane continued to the left of the runway centerline. He was unable to correct back to runway centerline, about 5 to 10 ft above the ground, so he decided to abort the takeoff and land on the grass to the left of the runway. During the landing, the airplane landed hard and the nose landing gear "dug in" to the grass and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N127VV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N127VV), registered now, S/N 74326, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Zenair ZENITH STOL CH 701 (No Series) - Registry model: [Kube Robert C ZENITH STOL CH 701](https://openairdocs.org/model/kube-robert-c-zenith-stol-ch-701) (registry code 05614CX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 74326 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 816.5 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 8, 2017 - Departed: 81R, San Saba, TX - Destination: AQO, Llano, TX - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 81R, San Saba County Muni, runway 13, 4,205 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review May 18, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 581.2 total, 6.3 in this make and model, 469.8 as pilot in command, 25.3 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0.3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Observed at: KAQO, 27 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 20180704009079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180704009079A), Jul 4, 2018: Zenith 701, San Saba, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot and one passenger were departing from San Saba Airport (81R) with the intention to fly to nearby llano airport (kaqo) for some touch and go practice on… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 4, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97697. 4.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 570 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467246&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.