Zenair ZENITH CH 801
Fort Worth, TX — April 4, 2019
Event Information
| Date | April 4, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA200 |
| Event ID | 20190408X12655 |
| Location | Fort Worth, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 32.93111, -97.41167 |
| Airport | HICKS AIRFIELD |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Zenair |
| Model | ZENITH CH 801 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 3 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control in flight and his subsequent loss of directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that, while on short final, about 50 feet above the ground, the airplane rolled about 30º to the left. He applied full right aileron and leveled the airplane about a couple feet above the ground, but the airplane descended on to the runway, exited the runway to the left, and impacted terrain.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the both wings and fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located on an airport about 5 NM away reported that, about 15 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 050° at 16 knots. The pilot reported the wind was 050º at 10 knots, gusting up to 20 knots. The weight-shift control aircraft landed on runway 25.
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.