Snelling Zodiac

Rexburg, ID — September 17, 2008

Event Information

DateSeptember 17, 2008
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberSEA08CA203
Event ID20081003X71059
LocationRexburg, ID
CountryUSA
Coordinates43.83279, -111.80677
AirportRexburg Madison County Airport
Highest InjuryNONE

Aircraft

MakeSnelling
ModelZodiac
CategoryAIR
FAR Part091
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
None2
Total Injured0

Event Location

Probable Cause

The private pilot's excessive use of the flight controls and improper landing flair, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent gear collapse.

Full Narrative

The first pilot, a commercial pilot seated in the right seat, and the second pilot, a private pilot seated in the left seat, were landing on runway 19 as part of an instructional/transition flight in the amateur built experimental airplane. The first pilot/aircraft owner reported that the second pilot reduced engine power on short final and the aircraft's nose dropped. The second pilot pulled the stick back "too aggressively" and then forward and the airplane subsequently contacted the runway "quite hard." In response, the second pilot increased power and initiated a go-around. As the power increased the airplane’s nose pitched up and the second pilot "shoved" the stick forward. The airplane contacted the runway in a 30-40 degree nose down attitude. After contacting the runway, the airplane's nose and right main gear collapsed, which resulted in structural damage to the wing assembly and forward fuselage.

No preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane were reported.

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.

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