# NTSB WPR14CA004: Venables Zenith CH701, N143TZ, Snohomish, WA, October 3, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 3, 2013, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Snohomish, WA - Coordinates: 47.900001, -122.099998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9000&lon=-122.1000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88173 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88173/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88173 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA004 ## Probable cause A jammed rudder control while maneuvering in the pattern for reasons that could not be determined. No follow-up examination was conducted due to a lapse in agency funding and subsequent government shutdown. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Venables John R CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=056216E), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Venables John R CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=056216E), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Venables John R CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=056216E), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Venables John R CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=056216E), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Venables John R CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056216E), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a test flight the airplane encountered moderate turbulence so he decided to return to the airport for landing. While turning to the crosswind leg in the pattern, the airplane suddenly banked sharply and descended uncontrollably. The pilot was able to regain control about 500 feet above ground level, and managed to turn the airplane to the downwind leg, but he continued to have difficulty maintaining control. The pilot then decided to make an emergency off airport landing to a field. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with obstructions and nosed over. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. After the accident, the pilot reported that the loss of aircraft control was due to a jammed rudder for undetermined reasons. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a test flight the airplane encountered moderate turbulence so he decided to return to the airport for landing. While turning to the crosswind leg in the pattern, the airplane suddenly banked sharply and descended uncontrollably. The pilot was able to regain control about 500 feet above ground level, and managed to turn the airplane to the downwind leg, but he continued to have difficulty maintaining control. The pilot then decided to make an emergency off airport landing to a field. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with obstructions and nosed over. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. After the accident, the pilot reported that the loss of aircraft control was due to a jammed rudder for undetermined reasons. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N143TZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N143TZ-2014-07-18), registration cancelled 2014-07-18, S/N 7-5884, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VENABLES ZENITH CH701 - Registry model: [Venables John R CH701](https://openairdocs.org/model/venables-john-r-ch701) (registry code 056216E) (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: 7-5884 - Airframe hours: 3 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 12, 2013, 3 hours before - Departed: S43, Snohomish, WA - Destination: S43, Snohomish, WA - Airport: S43, Harvey Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review September 1, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 223 total, 5 in this make and model, 223 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: PAE, 10 nm away ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88173. 726 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 726 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403059&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.