Young ZODIAC 601XL N601AY

Summary

On 22 May 2005 at about 13:30 local time, a Young ZODIAC 601XL registered N601AY was involved in an accident near Mattoon, Illinois, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 May 2005 at 13:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Mattoon, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Coles County Memorial (MTO)

Coordinates

39.4781, -88.2792

Aircraft

Young ZODIAC 601XL

Registration

N601AY

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Matoon → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI05CA126

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing flare resulting in an in-flight collision with the runway pavement.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted the runway while landing. The accident occurred during the third flight of the experimental airplane. The pilot reported that he remained in the traffic pattern after takeoff with the intention of performing several stop-and-go landings. He stated that as he turned final he decided to approach at 90 miles-per-hour (mph) instead of the normal 80 mph approach speed. This was in order to evaluate the airplane's handling characteristics while in ground effect and during the landing flare. The pilot stated: "As I reached the [runway] numbers I reduced power slightly to begin my descent to the runway. The next thing I knew I had hit the runway." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions of the aircraft related to the accident. Reported winds did not exceed 10 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.