Amateur-built ZODIAC 601XL and amateur-built MODEL-1 accident near Burlington, Iowa, January 29, 2011
On January 29, 2011 at about 10:15 pm local time, 2 aircraft, amateur-built ZODIAC 601XL (N200BE) and amateur-built MODEL-1 (N602CB), were involved in the same accident near Burlington, Iowa (Southwest Iowa Regional airport). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The Model 1 pilot's inadequate visual lookout and subsequent failure to see and avoid the Zodiac.
The Model 1 pilot's inadequate visual lookout and subsequent failure to see and avoid the Zodiac.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 29, 2011 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Burlington, Iowa · Southwest Iowa Regional · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Amateur-built ZODIAC 601XL
- Registration
- N200BE · registry record · serial 6-6494
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Amateur-built MODEL-1
- Registration
- N602CB · registry record · serial 446-18-1830
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built ZODIAC 601XL final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the Zodiac made radio calls when he was 10 miles and 5 miles from the airport to inform other aircraft of his position. He also made position reports when he turned left onto the final leg of the traffic pattern, and again when he was on short final for landing. About 90 feet from the taxiway turnoff, the Zodiac was hit from the rear. The Zodiac pilot taxied off the runway and, looking back, he could see the Model 1, a red and white biplane, behind him. The horizontal and vertical stabilizers of the Zodiac were destroyed by the propeller strike from the Model 1. The Model 1 received minor damage to the engine cowl. The pilot of the Model 1, who was seated in the rear seat of the airplane during the flight, reported that he did not see the Zodiac prior to landing or while taxiing. The Model 1 was not equipped with either an installed or handheld radio.
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 NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built MODEL-1 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the Zodiac made radio calls when he was 10 miles and 5 miles from the airport to inform other aircraft of his position. He also made position reports when he turned left onto the final leg of the traffic pattern, and again when he was on short final for landing. About 90 feet from taxiway turnoff, the Zodiac was hit from the rear. The Zodiac pilot taxied off the runway and, looking back, he could see the Model 1, a red and white biplane, behind him. The horizontal and vertical stabilizers of the Zodiac were destroyed by the propeller strike from the Model 1. The Model 1 received minor damage to the engine cowl. The pilot of the Model 1, who was seated in the rear seat of the airplane during the flight, reported that he did not see the Zodiac prior to landing or while taxiing. The Model 1 was not equipped with either an installed or handheld radio.
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 for the amateur-built ZODIAC 601XL from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during taxi (from runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot of other aircraft
Pilot
- Certificate: private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 701 hours in all; 488 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 675 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 19, 2010
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 488 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 1, 2010
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 3300 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BRL Burlington IA at 9:00 pm
- Destination: BRL Burlington IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 5,500 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 10:00 pm from BRL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
The factual record for the amateur-built MODEL-1 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during taxi (from runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 14,000 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: January 18, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 15, 2011
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: UIN Quincy IL at 9:15 pm
- Destination: BRL Burlington IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 5,500 ft by 200 ft
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.
Other NTSB records under N200BE the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.