McMillan ZODIAC CH 601 HD N6781Z

Summary

On 12 July 1999 at about 00:15 local time, a McMillan ZODIAC CH 601 HD registered N6781Z was involved in an accident near Nauvoo, Illinois, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 July 1999 at 00:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Nauvoo, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Ceader Ridge Airport (9IS0)

Coordinates

40.5397, -91.3794

Aircraft

McMillan ZODIAC CH 601 HD

Registration

N6781Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Burlington

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI99LA228

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to follow the airplane checklist to pin the canopy before departure, resulting in the opening of the canopy on take off and the subsequent aerodynamic stall and ground collision.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated he was distracted during his pre-departure checklist procedures and forgot to pin the canopy. During the take off roll, as the airplane lifted off the runway the canopy popped open, resulting in excessive drag and an aerodynamic stall. The airplane then collided with the ground on the edge of a pond and nosed over into the water.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.