Amateur-built Zodiac accident near Rexburg, Idaho, September 17, 2008
On September 17, 2008 at about 3:30 pm local time, a amateur-built Zodiac, registered N826W, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Rexburg, Idaho (Rexburg Madison County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The private pilot's excessive use of the flight controls and improper landing flair, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent gear collapse.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 17, 2008 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Rexburg, Idaho · Rexburg Madison County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Zodiac CH 601 HD
- Registration
- N826W · registry record · serial 63830
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The aircraft owner, who held a commercial pilot certificate, was seated in the right seat, and a private pilot was in the left seat, for an instructional/transition flight in the amateur built experimental airplane. The aircraft owner reported that they were landing when the private pilot reduced engine power on short final and the aircraft's nose dropped. The owner said the private pilot pulled the stick back "too aggressively" and then moved it rapidly forward and the airplane subsequently contacted the runway "quite hard." In response, the private pilot increased power and initiated a go-around. As the power increased the airplane's nose pitched up and the private pilot "shoved" the stick forward. The airplane contacted the runway in a 30-40 degree nose down attitude. After contacting the runway, the airplane's nose and right main gear collapsed, which resulted in structural damage to the wing assembly and forward fuselage. No preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane were reported.
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
- Abrupt maneuver during approach defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Landing gear collapse during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action sequence › Copilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 618 hours in all; 244 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: April 27, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 497 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 376 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 3, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 389 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 8, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: U56 Rigby ID at 2:50 pm
- Destination: KRXE Rexburg ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 4,200 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.