Accident Details
On December 12, 2024, at approximately 1315 Pacific standard time, a Zall Jihlavan Airplanes S R JA-600, registered as N789RC, sustained substantial damage during an accident near Reedley, California. The student pilot, who was conducting his first solo flight, received minor injuries. The aircraft was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight.
Pilot Statement
According to the student pilot, he had completed two uneventful takeoffs and landings on runway 16 prior to the accident. During the third landing's rollout, he heard a loud thumping noise emanating from the area of the nose landing gear. He then felt a loss of directional control as the airplane began to skid left and right. In an attempt to regain control, the pilot reached forward to retract the flaps, inadvertently bumping the throttle control and increasing the engine power setting. After he reduced the power, the airplane veered left, exited the runway, struck a runway sign, and ultimately came to rest upright in a grassy area.
Postaccident Findings
Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the lower fuselage and a collapsed nose wheel landing gear. The wreckage was retained for further examination.