# NTSB MIA00LA061: Eaa Chapter 229 Zenair 601, N229FF, Kissimmee, FL, January 4, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 2000, 18:08 local (23:08 UTC)
- Place: Kissimmee, FL
- Coordinates: 28.299856, -81.409332 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2999&lon=-81.4093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 48439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48439/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA061

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing resulting in the airplane going off the side of the runway and colliding with a barricade.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - other

## Analysis

The pilot stated he departed on a VFR local flight with a passenger. It became dark and he became disoriented. He saw a city in the distance, thought it might have an airport, and flew towards it. He made an approach without contacting the control tower. He lost directional control of the airplane on touchdown. The airplane went off the side of the runway and collided with a barricade.

## Factual narrative

On January 4, 2000, at about 1808 eastern standard time, an EAA Chapter 229, Zenair 601, N229FF, registered to EAA Chapter 229, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of directional control on landing rollout at Kissimmee Municipal Airport, Kissimmee, Florida, and crashed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Winter Haven, Florida, (GIF) about 1 hour 8 minutes before the accident.

The private pilot stated he departed GIF on a local flight and became disoriented as it was beginning to get dark. He went up on guard frequency and attempted to get some help. He could not locate his position. He observed a city in the distance, and flew towards the city. He figured it would have an airport. As he approached the city, he saw a runway and entered left base without contacting the control tower. He lost directional control of the airplane on touchdown, the airplane went off the side of the runway and collided with a barricade.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N229FF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N229FF), registered now, S/N 6-3285 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EAA Chapter 229 ZENAIR 601
- Registry model: [Eaa Chapt 229 ZENAIR CH 601 HD](https://openairdocs.org/model/eaa-chapt-229-zenair-ch-601-hd) (registry code 05603RQ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 6-3285
- Airframe hours: 266
- Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles H. Westerman
- Registered owner: Eaa Chapter 229
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 1999
- Departed: GIF, WINTER HAVEN, FL
- Airport: ISM, Kissimmee Municipal, runway 33, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 628 total, 37 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ISM

## 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 20000104023489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000104023489A), Jan 4, 2000: Amtr CH601HD, Kissimmee, FL, Substantial damage. (-4)The pilot stated he departed on a VFR local flight with a passenger. It became dark and he became disoriented. He saw a city in the distance, thought it…

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.

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