KALDOR GREGORY N ZENITH 701
Eutaw Springs, SC — April 14, 2014
Event Information
| Date | April 14, 2014 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA14CA200 |
| Event ID | 20140417X00148 |
| Location | Eutaw Springs, SC |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 33.38939, -80.33946 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | KALDOR GREGORY N |
| Model | ZENITH 701 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DUSK |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's improper decision to execute a precautionary landing to unsuitable terrain following an inflight encounter with a wind gust, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.
Full Narrative
According to the pilot, he was flying over a small airstrip near a campground when he experienced a severe gust of wind that made the airplane turn abruptly to the right. The pilot felt that the airplane was out of control and decided to make a precautionary landing in a plowed field. During the precautionary landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the nose landing gear, wings, and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.