Amateur-built Zenith CH 701 accident near Galena, Missouri, September 4, 2004
On September 4, 2004 at about 9:00 pm local time, a amateur-built Zenith CH 701, registered N2077Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Galena, Missouri (Pvt airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of directional control for undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident was the tree that the airplane contacted.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 2004 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Galena, Missouri · Pvt · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Zenith CH 701
- Registration
- N2077Y · no longer on the register · serial 74557
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with a tree following a loss of directional control while landing on a private airstrip. The pilot reported that after touching down, the airplane made an immediate hard left swerve. The airplane traveled off the left side of the airstrip where it contacted a 12-inch diameter tree. He stated the tree was located approximately 50 yards off the side of the airstrip. The pilot reported the windsock on the airstrip was indicating little to no wind at the time. Approximately one year prior to this accident, the pilot and airplane were involved in a similar occurrence where the airplane veered sharply to the left after touchdown and traveled into tall brush. The pilot stated they inspected the brake system after that occurrence and they did not find any problems with it. He stated they repaired the airplane and he flew it three or four times prior to this accident.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 800 hours in all; 8 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2H2 Aurora MO at 8:40 pm
- Destination: PVT Galena MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 1,300 ft by 300 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 8:52 pm from SGF, 32 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.