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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 21, 2014 · Herder Michael Zodiac 601 HD · N318MH

Fredericksburg, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 2014
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Fredericksburg, TX
Aircraft
Herder Michael Zodiac 601 HD (2010)
Tail Number
N318MH
Operator
Saavy Biz
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN14LA447

After a cross-country flight and as the pilot approached his destination airport, he checked the wind. After flying a normal traffic pattern for runway 14, he made two unsuccessful landing attempts. On the third attempt, the airplane experienced a wind gust, and the airplane banked 90 degrees. The pilot applied power; however, the left wing impacted the runway. The airplane cartwheeled twice and then came to rest inverted next to the runway. There were no reported malfunctions with the airplane before the accident. A review of the airport's automated weather reporting station report indicated that, about the time of the accident, the airplane would have experienced about a 15-knot crosswind gusting to 20 knots. The accident is consistent with a loss of control during windy conditions.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On August 21, 2014, about 1450 central daylight time, a Zodiac 601 HD airplane, N318MH, impacted terrain near the Gillespie County Airport, (T82), Fredericksburg, Texas. The private rated pilot, sole occupant, was seriously injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a Saavy Biz, Inc, Roanoke, Texas, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. According to the pilot, as he approached T82, the wind was 18 to 22 knots. He flew a normal traffic pattern to runway 14, but made two unsuccessful attempts to land. On his third attempt to land, while 100 feet above the runway at 55 knots, a wind gust hit the airplane and banked the airplane 90-degrees. The pilot reported that he applied power; however, the left wing impacted the runway. The airplane cartwheeled twice before coming to rest, inverted next to the runway. There were no reported malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident, and examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. A review of the automated weather reporting station report, about the time of the accident, revealed that the pilot would have experienced a crosswind of about 15 knots gusting to 20 knots

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:50 CDT
Nearest AirportGillespie County Airport (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length5001 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHerder Michael Zodiac 601 HD
Tail NumberN318MH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSaavy Biz
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsJabiru · 3300 · Reciprocating · 120
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Sprt · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 16 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data