Amateur-built ZENITH STOL CH701 accident near Frostproof, Florida, April 8, 2014
On April 8, 2014 at about 9:20 pm local time, a 2010 amateur-built ZENITH STOL CH701, registered N12369, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Frostproof, Florida. 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 directional control during a precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed decision to divert due to deteriorating weather.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 8, 2014 · about 9:20 pm local time
- Place
- Frostproof, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ZENITH STOL CH701, built 2010
- Registration
- N12369 · registry record · serial 7-5893
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he obtained weather information via the Internet prior to departing on a cross-country flight. Additionally, during the flight, he monitored automated weather reports via radio. About 2 hours into the flight, when the airplane was 17 miles from the destination airport, the wind increased to 25 knots and rain began. The pilot performed a 180-degree turn; however, the rain and turbulence increased, along with a decrease in visibility and ceiling height. The pilot then performed a precautionary landing on a road. About 200 feet into the landing roll, the airplane veered left off the road and struck an orange tree, which separated the right wing. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and that he should have reversed course 20 minutes sooner.
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
- VFR encounter with IMC during enroute
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › (general) › Response/compensation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 350 hours in all; 61 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days; 45 in the last 30 days; 350 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 26, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 101 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, December 20, 2013; 45 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912UL (piston); 169 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: X35 Dunnellon FL at 7:30 pm
- Destination: SEF Sebring FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,100 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 9:35 pm from BOW, 15 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.