Fdr601 LLC ZODIAC 601XL accident near Lewiston, Idaho, May 24, 2014
On May 24, 2014 at about 4:18 pm local time, a 2012 Fdr601 LLC ZODIAC 601XL, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N601AB, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Lewiston, Idaho (Lewiston-Nex Perce County Airp 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 pilot's improper flare during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 24, 2014 · about 4:18 pm local time
- Place
- Lewiston, Idaho · Lewiston-Nex Perce County Airp · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Fdr601 LLC ZODIAC 601XL, built 2012, amateur-built
- Registration
- N601AB · registry record · serial 6-4994
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he flared the airplane too soon during the landing. The airplane bounced and then landed nose wheel first, collapsing the nose gear strut. Upon further inspection it was determined that the firewall was substantially damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,355 hours in all; 46 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 1,340 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 16, 2013
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 46 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, February 5, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 2,346 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KLWS Lewiston ID
- Destination: KLWS Lewiston ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 5,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from KLWS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on June 20, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation with Don Hodges | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.