Pilot Debrief

ZENITH 750 near Forest Lake, MN — 2023-06-01

Final reportCEN23LA215
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Date
2023-06-01
Location
Forest Lake, MN, USA
Airport
25D
Aircraft
ZENITH 750
Registration
N827LC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during the approach to land that resulted in an excessive descent rate and impact with the runway.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported on that he deliberately flew a high approach to land as he had experienced a high sink rate on previous flights. About 1/3 the way down the runway and despite being “ready for it” the pilot experienced a high sink rate as the airplane was about 30 feet off the ground. The airplane impacted the runway and bounced, upon impacting the runway a second time, the airplane remained on the ground, but the pilot reported a “total loss” of rudder control and the aircraft veered off the left side on the runway and came to rest into a ditch. The landing gear collapsed and the forward fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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