# NTSB WPR14CA211: Fdr601 Zodiac 601XL, N601AB, Lewiston, ID, May 24, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 24, 2014, 09:18 local (16:18 UTC)
- Place: Lewiston, ID
- Coordinates: 46.373889, -117.015274 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3739&lon=-117.0153&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89286
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89286/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89286
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA211

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare during landing.

## 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: [Fdr601 ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=056315Z), [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: [Fdr601 ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056315Z), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Fdr601 ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=056315Z), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he flared the airplane too soon during the landing. The airplane bounced and then landed nose wheel first, collapsing the nose gear strut. Upon further inspection it was determined that the firewall was substantially damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he flared the airplane too soon during the landing. The airplane bounced and then landed nose wheel first, collapsing the nose gear strut. Upon further inspection it was determined that the firewall was substantially damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N601AB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N601AB), registered now, S/N 6-4994, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FDR601 LLC ZODIAC 601XL
- Registry model: [Fdr601 ZODIAC 601XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/fdr601-zodiac-601xl) (registry code 056315Z) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-235-L2C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-235-l2c) (registry code 42035, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 6-4994
- Year built: 2012
- Airframe hours: 46
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Franklin R. Miles
- Registered owner: Fdr601 LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, February 5, 2014
- Departed: KLWS, Lewiston, ID
- Destination: KLWS, Lewiston, ID
- Airport: KLWS, Lewiston-Nex Perce County Airp, runway 12, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review August 16, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,355 total, 46 in this make and model, 1,340 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2.9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: KLWS

## 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 20140524007989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140524007989A), May 24, 2014: Fdr601 LLC ZODIAC 601XL, Lewiston, ID, Substantial damage. The aircraft bounced on landing and subsequently landed again hard on the nose wheel. The nose gear collapsed and the aircraft came to a stop on the runway 12.…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 20, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89286. 3.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413496&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation with Don Hodges (item 2, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413497&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Don%20Hodges-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.

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