Probable cause
The pilot misjudged the landing approach, which resulted in the airplane hitting a tree.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that this was the first time he flew the accident airplane into his private airstrip. He said that the airspeed was too fast and he overshot the airstrip; the left wing hit a tree and the airplane came to rest inverted in a wooded area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported there was no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13CA268 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 2, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gainesville, Missouri
- Nearest airport
- Pvt (PVT)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built Zodiac CH-650
- N-number
- N914AR
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.