# NTSB GAA19CA149: Zenair Zenith Stol CH 701, N8436S, Springfield, IL, February 24, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 24, 2019, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Springfield, IL - Coordinates: 39.841667, -89.675003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8417&lon=-89.6750&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99021 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99021/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99021 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA149 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper crosswind correction during taxi operations in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [James D Stuckey ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=05637JO), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [James D Stuckey ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05637JO), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [James D Stuckey ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05637JO), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [James D Stuckey ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05637JO), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [James D Stuckey ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05637JO), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [James D Stuckey ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05637JO), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [James D Stuckey ZENITH STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=05637JO), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after landing, while taxiing in gusting wind conditions, the airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted. He added that, a few minutes after the airplane was righted, it flipped over again. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation system reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 270° at 27 knots, gusting to 41 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, after landing, while taxiing in gusting wind conditions, the airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted. He added that, a few minutes after the airplane was righted, it flipped over again. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was 270° at 27 knots, gusting to 41 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8436S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8436S), registered now, S/N 7-10826 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Zenair ZENITH STOL CH 701 (No Series) - Registry model: [James D Stuckey ZENITH STOL CH 701](https://openairdocs.org/model/james-d-stuckey-zenith-stol-ch-701) (registry code 05637JO) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7-10826 - Year built: 2018 - Airframe hours: 37 - Engines: ULPower Aero Engines UL260 97 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: SPI, Springfield, IL - Destination: SPI, Springfield, IL - Airport: SPI, Abraham Lincoln Capital, runway 31, 7,400 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 27, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 606 total, 36 in this make and model, 523 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 27 knots, gusting 41 - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: KSPI ## 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 20190224010529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190224010529A), Feb 24, 2019: James D Stuckey ZENITH STOL CH 701, Springfield, IL, Substantial damage. On 02/24/2019 the pilot of FAA registered aircraft N8436S, a zenith stol CH701, flipped over while taxing in strong winds. The aircraft had just landed runway… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 4, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99021. 706 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 459 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471662&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 247 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471663&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.