Pilot Debrief

DAVID SHELL ZENITH CH701 near Fairfield, UT — 2015-03-27

Final reportGAA15CA024
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Date
2015-03-27
Location
Fairfield, UT, USA
Airport
UT99
Aircraft
DAVID SHELL ZENITH CH701
Registration
N701VZ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a precautionary off airport landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated he thought he smelled smoke in the cockpit while en route to his destination. During a precautionary landing on a dirt road, the pilot stated he encountered a "dust devil" as the airplane touched down, and the airplane veered into a ditch. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Winds in the area were reported light and variable. The pilot holds a repairman certificate for the airplane; he reported a post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have resulted in abnormal operation of the airplane. He did not find anything related to the smell of the smoke.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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