# NTSB GAA20CA039: Zenair CH 701, N3784A, Safford, AZ, October 20, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 19, 2019, 17:30 local (Oct 20, 2019, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Safford, AZ - Coordinates: 32.693889, -109.690277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6939&lon=-109.6903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100458 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100458/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100458 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA039 ## Probable cause The in-flight separation of a propeller blade for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in an off-airport landing on soft sand and the separation of main landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s selection of an unsuitable landing area. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Propeller system: propeller blade section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [White Ronald V CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111/cases.md?model=05903UK), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [White Ronald V CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05903UK), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [White Ronald V CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05903UK), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [White Ronald V CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05903UK), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [White Ronald V CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05903UK), [All aircraft, 3,100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [White Ronald V CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=05903UK), [All aircraft, 562 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [White Ronald V CH 701, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05903UK), [All aircraft, 3,368 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [White Ronald V CH 701, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05903UK), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while returning to the departure airport about 1,200 ft above the ground, the engine developed a severe and instantaneous vibration. He reduced power and searched for an emergency landing spot. The pilot chose a road as the landing spot, but the airplane landed about 40 ft short of the road in soft, rough sand, and the main landing gear separated from the airplane. The pilot reported that his pilot-rated passenger saw "something black streaking from the right, into the prop" before the vibration started. He suspected it was a drone but was not sure. The pilot added that there was no blood or feathers on the airplane or propeller. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. A portion of one propeller blade was not found at the accident site. The pilot further reported that, using a handheld GPS, he returned to the area of the presumed in-flight propeller strike and found pieces of the propeller but no drone fragments. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported as a safety recommendation that he suspected the airplane would have not sustained as much damage if he had landed in "one of the clear areas in the desert." He added that he "overestimated glide performance." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while returning to the departure airport about 1,200 ft above the ground, the airplane's engine developed a severe and instantaneous vibration. He reduced power and searched for an emergency landing spot. The pilot selected a road, but the airplane landed about 40 ft short in soft, rough sand, and the main landing gear separated from the airplane. The pilot reported that his pilot-rated passenger saw "something black streaking from the right, into the prop" before the vibration started. He suspected it was a drone but was not sure. The pilot added that there was no blood or feathers on the airplane or propeller. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. Additionally, a portion of one propeller blade was not located at the accident site. The pilot further reported that, using a handheld GPS, he returned to the area of the presumed inflight propeller strike and found pieces of the propeller. He further reported that there were numerous motorcycle tracks and footprints, but no drone fragments were located. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported as a safety recommendation that he suspected the airplane would have not sustained as much damage if he had landed in "one of the clear areas in the desert." He added that he "overestimated glide performance." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3784A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3784A-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N 5319, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Zenair CH 701 (No Series) - Registry model: [White Ronald V CH 701](https://openairdocs.org/model/white-ronald-v-ch-701) (registry code 05903UK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 5319 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 85 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 17, 2019 - Departed: SAD, Safford, AZ - Destination: SAD, Safford, AZ - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review May 16, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,570 total, 104 in this make and model, 2,504 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: KSAD ## 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 20191019020259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191019020259A), Oct 19, 2019: White Ronald V CH 701, Safford, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that aircraft was flying local from sad airport about 30 to 45 minutes before sunset at 1500 alg when suddenly there was an extreme vibration.… ## Other investigations on N3784A (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR10LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA341), Jul 10, 2010: Ronald V White CH701 (N3784A), Pima, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power while maneuvering due to a spark plug failure. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 19, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100458. 4.2 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=40479250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479251&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.