Amateur-built Zodiac 601XL accident near Mattoon, Illinois, May 22, 2005
On May 22, 2005 at about 1:30 pm local time, a amateur-built Zodiac 601XL, registered N601AY, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mattoon, Illinois (Coles County Memorial airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing flare resulting in an in-flight collision with the runway pavement.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 22, 2005 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Mattoon, Illinois · Coles County Memorial · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Zodiac 601XL
- Registration
- N601AY · no longer on the register · serial 6-4759
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted the runway while landing. The accident occurred during the third flight of the experimental airplane. The pilot reported that he remained in the traffic pattern after takeoff with the intention of performing several stop-and-go landings. He stated that as he turned final he decided to approach at 90 miles-per-hour (mph) instead of the normal 80 mph approach speed. This was in order to evaluate the airplane's handling characteristics while in ground effect and during the landing flare. The pilot stated: "As I reached the [runway] numbers I reduced power slightly to begin my descent to the runway. The next thing I knew I had hit the runway." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions of the aircraft related to the accident. Reported winds did not exceed 10 knots.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 143 hours in all; 7 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 104 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1.8 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection; 1.8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 3300A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MTO Matoon IL at 1:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 6,501 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from MTO
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.