Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a precautionary off airport landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated he thought he smelled smoke in the cockpit while en route to his destination. During a precautionary landing on a dirt road, the pilot stated he encountered a "dust devil" as the airplane touched down, and the airplane veered into a ditch. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Winds in the area were reported light and variable. The pilot holds a repairman certificate for the airplane; he reported a post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have resulted in abnormal operation of the airplane. He did not find anything related to the smell of the smoke.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15CA024 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 27, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fairfield, Utah
- Nearest airport
- West Desert Airpark (UT99)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built ZENITH CH701
- N-number
- N701VZ
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2012
- 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.