Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff which resulted in the airplane striking a snow bank.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that while taking off from a frozen lake, the airplane veered to the left. He stated that at the point of rotation, the left wing struck a snow bank which spun the airplane in a counter-clockwise direction. The airplane's nose wheel then struck the snow bank and the airplane nosed over. He reported no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14CA156 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 8, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Garrison, Minnesota
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built ZODIAC 601 HDS
- N-number
- N981HT
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2005
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.