# NTSB WPR26LA049: Zenair Stol CH 701, N43AH, Shady Cove, OR, November 20, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 20, 2025, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Shady Cove, OR - Coordinates: 42.608724, -122.82943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6087&lon=-122.8294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 12, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 202039 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202039/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202039 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA049 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper throttle input during an approach, which resulted in a rapid descent, hard landing and runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Zenair STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05606JZ), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Engine controls](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057600): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Zenair STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057600/cases.md?model=05606JZ), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057600/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Zenair STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05606JZ), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Zenair STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05606JZ), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Zenair STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05606JZ), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was performing a test flight in his experimental amateur-built airplane to determine the appropriate power setting for approach. During an approach to land after 5 consecutive go-arounds, he reduced all engine power, which resulted in a rapid descent and hard landing. The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the dirt strip and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage, wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43AH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43AH), registered now, S/N 7-8037 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ZENAIR LTD STOL CH 701 - Registry model: [Zenair STOL CH 701](https://openairdocs.org/model/zenair-stol-ch-701) (registry code 05606JZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7-8037 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 219 - Engines: Rotax 912 UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 2025 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: OG31, Shady Cove Airpark, runway 36, 2,600 × 25 ft, gravel - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review June 7, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 148.4 total, 2 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: MFR, 14 nm away - METAR: METAR KMFR 202053Z 29003KT 10SM OVC047 09/04 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP177 T00940044 58005 $ ## 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 20251120017509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251120017509A), Nov 20, 2025: Zenair Ltd STOL CH 701, Shady Cove, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot in command was operating this experimental amateur built airplane for the first time. After initial takeoff, PIC made a short flight in order to attempt… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 12, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202039. 5.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19686601&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA049%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19693682&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photographs-Rel.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.