Zenith ZODIAC 601 XL N538CJ

Summary

On 6 November 2009 at about 16:05 local time, a Zenith ZODIAC 601 XL registered N538CJ, operated by Cummings Charles, was involved in an accident near Agnos, Arkansas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 November 2009 at 16:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Agnos, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

36.2553, -91.6931

Aircraft

Zenith ZODIAC 601 XL

Registration

N538CJ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Cummings Charles

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ash Flat → Ash Flat

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10FA042

1 person died.

The in-flight separation of both wings due to aileron flutter. The aileron flutter was the result of inadequate wing stiffness and strength and the lack of aileron counterbalances.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The light-sport airplane experienced an in-flight break-up during a cross-country flight. Flight track data recovered from an onboard global positioning system, and a subsequent performance study, depicted the airplane was maneuvering between the altitudes of 2,500 and 3,500 feet at airspeeds between about 60 and 108 knots calibrated airspeed (KCAS). The airplane performed a number of turns and maneuvers during the hour-plus flight, including a landing approach and pass over an airport. The calculated bank angle for the entire flight never exceeded 30 degrees. At the time when the breakup occurred, the airplane was climbing at about 500 feet per minute through 2,800 feet altitude and had accelerated to 100 KCAS. The estimated angle of attack was about 3 degrees during the last minute of the flight, and the airplane wreckage was spread over 600 feet on the ground. An examination of the airplane wreckage revealed compression buckling and upward and downward bending of both wings. The upward and downward movement, twisting, and flexing of the airplane wing surface was consistent with the occurrence of aerodynamic flutter. In addition, damage was noted on the flap assemblies consistent with over travel. Ultimately both wings failed in down bending. An examination of the engine revealed no anomalies. The accident pilot was experienced in the accident airplane and had built the airplane from a kit.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.