Zenith CH 701 | N514JG

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot attempted the impossible turn, a right hand turn after takeoff when the aircraft lost ability to climb. The aircraft had been in maintenance by accident pilot Alan Kettunen on behalf of the new owner, who was seated in the right seat. The flight had previously made one takeoff attempt but had aborted the attempt and returned to the hangar for unknown changes. The new owner was the pilot flying on the second attempt. When the engine encountered a reduction in thrust, the PIC/A&P took the flight controls and initiated a right hand turn. The accident pilot (PIC) may have been trying to land on Ohio route 307, a paved two lane road. The aircraft descended into an area parallel to the highway where it hit a tree and came to rest in the front yard of a residence located at 4316 Ohio-307, Geneva, Ohio. The passenger was injured but able to free himself from the wreckage. The PIC was trapped in the aircraft and was unable to free himself when a fire started shortly after impact. The improper choice to turn the aircraft resulted in a loss of energy, and a forced landing into an area not desirable for forced landing. An open farm field was available straight ahead, and slightly to the left when the problem presented itself.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to avoid significant turns after takeoff when encountering an abnormal of any kind. The impossible turn is most usually impossible. Straight Ahead is normally the correct solution.