Zenith Aircraft CO ZODIAC 601 XL accident near Agnos, Arkansas, November 6, 2009
On November 6, 2009 at about 4:05 pm local time, a Zenith Aircraft CO ZODIAC 601 XL, registered N538CJ, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Agnos, Arkansas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 6, 2009 · about 4:05 pm local time
- Place
- Agnos, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Zenith Aircraft CO ZODIAC 601 XL
- Registration
- N538CJ · no longer on the register · serial 6-6528
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Part(s) separation from AC during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › (general) › Failure
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › (general) › Design
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › Ailerons › Design
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › Ailerons › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 116 hours in all; 77 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: January 12, 2008
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 3300 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KCVK Ash Flat AR at 2:48 pm
- Destination: KCVK Ash Flat AR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KBPK, 38 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.