Zenair LTD STOL CH 701 accident near Shady Cove, Oregon, November 20, 2025
On November 20, 2025 at about 9:00 pm local time, a 1998 Zenair LTD STOL CH 701, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N43AH, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Shady Cove, Oregon (Shady Cove Airpark airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper throttle input during an approach, which resulted in a rapid descent, hard landing and runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 20, 2025 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Shady Cove, Oregon · Shady Cove Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Zenair LTD STOL CH 701, built 1998, amateur-built
- Registration
- N43AH · registry record · serial 7-8037
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was performing a test flight in his experimental amateur-built airplane to determine the appropriate power setting for approach. During an approach to land after 5 consecutive go-arounds, he reduced all engine power, which resulted in a rapid descent and hard landing. The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the dirt strip and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage, wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no 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
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
- Miscellaneous/other during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine controls › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 148.4 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 70 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 7, 2023
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 219 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 3, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 UL (piston); 219 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,600 ft by 25 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 1:00 pm from MFR, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KMFR 202053Z 29003KT 10SM OVC047 09/04 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP177 T00940044 58005 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on February 12, 2026. 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, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | 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.