Accredited representative to the NTSB investigation into the collision with terrain involving a Gregory S. Browning Zodiac 601XL registered N929GB, near Thompson's Station, Tennessee, United States, on 21 December 2017

On 21 December 2017, the pilot of a Gregory S. Browning  Zodiac 601XL departed Shelbyville Municipal Airport, Tennessee on a flight to Wifferdill Airport, Chapmansboro, Tennessee. A short time later, witnesses in the vicinity of Chapmansboro reported hearing a loud ‘boom’ similar to a crash. The aircraft was found in an open field in an upright position with substantial damage. The pilot, the only person on board, sustained fatal injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States commenced an investigation into the occurrence.

As Australia is the State of Manufacture of the engine, the ATSB requested to be appointed as an accredited representative to the NTSB investigation in accordance with clause 5.18 of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation. An ATSB investigator was appointed as accredited representative to the NTSB on 8 January 2018. To facilitate support to the NTSB investigation, the ATSB also initiated an investigation under the Australian Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.

The NTSB has completed their investigation and the final report is available on the NTSB website.

Any enquires relating to the investigation should be directed to the NTSB at: www.ntsb.gov