N817DJ

Substantial
None

Morgan, Marvin R. Zenair CH701 STOLS/N: 7-9244

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, December 24, 2006
NTSB Number
MIA07CA030
Location
Lithia, FL
Event ID
20070206X00141
Coordinates
27.805555, -82.140274
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

Collapse of the nosegear for undetermined reasons.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
MORGAN, MARVIN R.
Serial Number
7-9244
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2001
Model / ICAO
Zenair CH701 STOL
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
ZENAIR CH701 STOL

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
DOBBELAERE CRAIG M
Address
20772 ROAD 88
City
OAKWOOD
State / Zip Code
OH 45873-9457
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated the accident flight departed KPCM at about 12:30 local time. The pilot stated, "After about an hour of local flight, which included several landings and take-offs from a local grass strip (Blackwater Creek), we flew to my private airstrip, OFL6. We made a normal STOL approach at 50 mph and with 2 notches of flap. There was a slight quartering tail wind from the right. We made a reasonably firm arrival on the main gear as usual. The nose dropped as expected, but then continued to drop so that the propeller impacted the ground. There was no sensation of the nose gear touching the ground and then failing; the nose simply dropped through the normal landing attitude as if the nose gear were not there. After the propeller contacted the ground, the aircraft very slowly nosed over and came to rest on its back. I undid the 4 point harness and exited through the left door, and went around to the other side to help the passenger out." There were no injuries. Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed that the nose wheel (which is directly linked to the rudder pedals for ground steering) was about 45 degrees to the left. The forks which hold the nose wheel were deformed in a way that is consistent with the nose gear being turned to the left at the time of landing.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA07CA030