Zenith STOL CH701 accident near Randsburg, CA
On November 12, 2021, a Zenith STOL CH701 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Randsburg, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- November 12, 2021
- Place
- Randsburg, CA
- Aircraft
- Zenith STOL CH701 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.429°N, 117.730°W
- NTSB ID
- 20211112104238
Official records · WPR22FA033
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn November 12, 2021, about 1413 Pacific standard time, an experimental, amateur-built Zenith STOL CH-701, N984LD, was destroyed when it was involved in accident near Randsburg, California. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The accident occurred at Goler Heights Airstrip, which was located within a 1,500-ft-wide valley at an elevation about 2,450 ft mean sea level (msl). The runway was oriented on a southwesterly heading, with rising terrain to the north, a box canyon in line with the landing approach to the east, and a parallel ridgeline to the south, which fell away to an open desert expanse. A witness, who was located on a camping spot about ½ mile to the west and overlooking the runway, stated that he had camped at that location many times before, and was familiar with aircraft landing on the airstrip. About 1410, he heard the typical sound of an airplane in the traffic pattern and saw a high-wing airplane flying northeast along the ridgeline about 300 ft over the runway. He stated that it was flying in a manner that seemed appropriate for an airplane approaching the southwest runway for landing. A short time later, he heard the sound of increasing engine speed, and when he looked up, the airplane was at the north end of the runway, flying northeast. The airplane was wobbling, and it then began to bank left. Its bank angle reached about 60° such that he could see the full wing profile; the nose then dropped, and the airplane descended rap
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper landing approach, which failed to account for wind conditions, and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following an overshoot of the runway extended centerline, resulting in an accelerated aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience flying into challenging backcountry airstrips.
More accidents in CA
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Browse: California · Zenith aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
