# NTSB WPR19FA026: Zenith CH601, N322JL, Overgaard, AZ, November 16, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report - Date: November 16, 2018, 15:46 local (22:46 UTC) - Place: Overgaard, AZ - Coordinates: 34.405834, -110.52416 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4058&lon=-110.5242&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 2 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 98647 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19FA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98647/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA026 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to monitor the airport’s visual approach path indicator during the final approach to the upsloping runway, which resulted in a low approach path and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Lynch Jay A ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05628YW), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: visual illusion/disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Lynch Jay A ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md?model=05628YW), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Lynch Jay A ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05628YW), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Lynch Jay A ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05628YW), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Lynch Jay A ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05628YW), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were completing the second leg of a multileg flight. Flight data indicated that the final approach was below the glideslope for the runway and the airplane’s airspeed was above the stall limit. During the approach, the airplane impacted a tall tree about 1,500 ft from the runway threshold, the roof of a house, and a second tree before coming to rest in a taxi area between houses. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although the pilot should have been familiar with the runway characteristics given that he had a hangar near the airpark and had flown into the airpark before, it is likely that the upsloping runway and paved surfaces before the displaced threshold gave the pilot the visual illusion that the airplane was at a higher altitude than it actually was and that the pilot thus flew a lower approach. Although a visual approach path indicator was positioned left of the runway threshold, the pilot likely did not monitor the indicator during the final approach. ## Factual narrative The Federal Aviation Administration Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25B), chapter 17, Aeromedical Factors, indicates the following: An upsloping runway, upsloping terrain, or both can create an illusion that the aircraft is at a higher altitude than it actually is…. (See Figure 5) The pilot who does not recognize this illusion will fly a lower approach. Downsloping runways and downsloping approach terrain can have the opposite effect. Figure 5-FAA Airplane Flying handbook figure. The airplane is a kit airplane series, optimized for sport-pilot and light-sport categories. The airplane’s published stall speed with the flaps down is about 38 kts (44 mph) and its optimum published best glide speed is about 65 kts (74 mph). AZ82 is a non-public privately-owned airpark. According to the airpark operating guidelines, runway 21 has a significant upslope from both ends and peaks near the middle; there is no line of sight between the runway ends from the surface. The runway has a 746-ft displaced threshold downsloping from the runway. A taxiway extends from the displaced threshold another 500 ft, also downsloping, in the same direction as the runway. At the time of the accident, a visual approach path indicator (VAPI) was available for a 3° slope approach, positioned left of the runway 21 threshold. (See figure 2) The VAPI consisted of three large panels facing the final approach path. The two outside panels were positioned higher than the center panel, which was positioned behind and low to the ground. A light-colored background was used to help with visual clarity. During an approach, when the panels were aligned across, the airplane would have been on a 3° glideslope to runway 21. After the accident, the VAPI was removed from the airpark for unknown reasons and was not replaced. On November 16, 2018, about 1546 mountain standard time, an experimental, amateur-built Zenith Zodiac 601XL airplane, N322JL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Overgaard, Arizona. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to a family member, the pilot and his son had planned a multileg flight from Fullerton Municipal Airport (FUL), Fullerton, California, to Orange Port, Florida. On the morning of the accident, they departed FUL and flew to Lake Havasu City Airport (HII), Lake Havasu City, Arizona. After landing at HII and refueling, they departed and were planning to stop at Mogollon Airpark (AZ82), Overgaard, Arizona, for the night, where the pilot owned a hangar. The family member stated that the pilot had flown into AZ82 in the past. Flight data shows the airplane’s turn onto the final approach to AZ82. (See figures 1 and 2.) While on runway heading, about 1/2 mile from the approach end of runway 21, the airplane was about 100 ft above ground level at an airspeed of about 62 kts. The remaining flightdata showed the airplane track low, with airspeed increasing to about 70 kts. The last two targets of the flight track showed a slight right turn ending near the accident site. Several witnesses in the area stated that they heard a loud thud or felt a vibration about the time of the accident. The wreckage was identified by nearby homeowners about 1 hour after the accident between residential hangars near the approach end of the runway. Figure 1-Flight track data and accident site location. Figure 2-Runway approach end and flight track data. A privately owned weather station near the approach end of runway 21 recorded peak wind at 6 kts from the south about the time of the accident. During the investigation, three low approaches were flown into AZ82 to mimic the accident flight. The VAPI was visible to the left of the runway threshold. An airplane performance study was conducted and revealed that the airplane initially intercepted the runway heading slightly above the 3° glide slope. It then increased its rate of descent and descended below the 3° glide slope. About 3,000 ft from the displaced threshold the airplane arrested its descent but did not regain the 3° glide slope before again descending. The final ADS-B return was 1,200 ft from the displaced threshold and approximately level with it. During the final descent the airplane gained speed from 60 kts of calibrated airspeed to over 72 kts. The airplane’s stall speed was reported to be about 38 kts (44 mph)1 [1]. Its reported best glide speed is about 52 kts (60 mph). The airplane was faster than the recommended glide speed throughout the final approach. Examination of the accident site revealed the first identified point of contact (FIPC) was the top of an 80-ft-tall tree on the direct centerline view of runway 21 and about 1,500 ft from the runway threshold. A broken tree limb and a wingtip light assembly were found near the FIPC. About 226 ft from the FIPC, a wing impact mark and cuts consistent with rotating propeller blades were found on the roof of a house. (See figures 3 and 4). A propeller blade was found in several sections about 170 ft from the house. The airplane then impacted a second tree before impacting the ground in the taxi area between house. The empennage separated from the main wreckage and remained lodged in the second tree about 20 ft above the ground. The main wreckage was found inverted with leading-edge impact damage to the right wing and buckling to both wings. The fuselage was twisted, and the engine remained partially attached. Fuel was drained from the right wing during the recovery of the wreckage. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Figure 3-Right wing impact marks and runway location. Figure 4-Propeller strike marks and main wreckage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N322JL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N322JL-2021-05-08), registration cancelled 2021-05-08, S/N 5957, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ZENITH CH601 (XL) - Registry model: [Lynch Jay A ZODIAC 601XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/lynch-jay-a-zodiac-601xl) (registry code 05628YW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34802, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 5957 - Year built: 2011 - Engines: Jabiru 3300 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lynch Jay A - Registered owner: Lynch Jay A - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: HII, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Destination: AZ82, Overgaard, AZ - Airport: AZ82, Mogollon Airpark, runway 21, 3,420 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,490 total, 36 in the last 90 days - Pilot; age 52; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KSOW, 27 nm away ## 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 20181116022599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181116022599A), Nov 16, 2018: Lynch Jay A ZODIAC 601XL, Overgaard, AZ, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Aircraft was on approach to runway 21 at AZ82, when its right wing outboard leading edge, hit the top of an 80-foot tree aligned with the runway, 1,500 feet… 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.