N701SAZenith Acft STOL CH 701

The pilot diverted to an alternate airport due to foggy weather along his route of flight. The pilot stated that while descending to land, the weather was getting worse and he wanted to get on the ground quickly. While landing on runway 35, the airplane dropped from about 20 ft above ground level and the left landing gear hit first. The pilot was unable to maintain control, and the airplane nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, vertical stabilizer, rudder, and wings. The pilot stated the accident could have been prevented by noting the windsock direction and wind speed and that he would never rush a landing again.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Weather reports indicated that the pilot landed the airplane with a 10-knot right quartering tailwind.

Law enforcement personnel reported that the owner/pilot reported that his airplane had been stolen. The night before, the pilot landed and parked his airplane at the airport’s transient parking area. The following morning, he noticed that his airplane had been moved and subsequently found it near runway 8, at taxiway A. The airplane was positioned nose down with the nose gear collapsed and the left wing substantially damaged consistent with a loss of airplane control. Law enforcement investigation subsequently led to the arrest of the individual who was involved in the unauthorized movement of the airplane.