Amateur-built ZENITH accident near Centerburg, Ohio, June 29, 2012
On June 29, 2012 at about 12:00 pm local time, a amateur-built ZENITH, registered N701ZN, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Centerburg, Ohio (Chapman Memorial Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inability to actuate the airplane’s rudder during an attempted go-around for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2012 · about 12:00 pm local time
- Place
- Centerburg, Ohio · Chapman Memorial Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ZENITH CH 701
- Registration
- N701ZN · registry record · serial 6884
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot performed a low approach to the runway and added engine power to go around. As the pilot added engine power, the airplane began to yaw left. To correct the airplane’s yaw, the pilot attempted to depress the right rudder pedal, but he was unable to move the pedal. The airplane was headed for trees, and the pilot added power in an attempt to takeoff and climb over them; however, the airplane struck the “uppermost” branches. The pilot then reduced engine power and performed a forced landing in a shallow pond. An examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal rudder operation. The two sets of rudder pedals were separated by 1.5 inches, and the pilot had only 3 hours in the accident make and model airplane. Although it is possible that the pilot's right foot inadvertently contacted the left rudder controls and restricted the rudder pedal movement, the investigation was unable to determine the cause of the impeded rudder movement.
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
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Rudder control system › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: military, sport pilot
- Flight time: 7,000 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 300 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 15, 2012
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 25 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 12, 2012; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 2200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6CM Centerburg OH at 12:00 pm
- Destination: 6CM Centerburg OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 3,200 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 10:15 am from K4I3
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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN12LA410.