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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 16, 1994 · Jacobson SE5A Replica SE5A Repli · N38111

Rosenberg, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 16, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Rosenberg, TX
Aircraft
Jacobson SE5A Replica SE5A Repli
Tail Number
N38111
Operator
William B Crist
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW94LA137

THE PILOT TAXIED THE AIRPLANE TO A POSITION IN THE GRASS 200 FEET PRIOR TO THE RUNWAY TO PROVIDE A TAKEOFF DISTANCE OF 720 FEET. THE REQUIRED TAKEOFF DISTANCE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WAS APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET. DURING THE TAKE OFF ROLL THE TAIL CAME OFF THE GROUND PRIOR TO 200 FEET. WHEN THE PILOT STARTED HIS ROTATATION 100 FEET FURTHER DOWN THE RUNWAY, THE TAIL DESCENDED BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY SURFACE. THE WIND WAS 5-15 KNOTS AND CHANGED FROM A RIGHT 45 DEGREE CROSSWIND AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TAKEOFF ROLL TO A 90 DEGREE CROSSWIND AT ROTATION, AND THEN CONTINUED CLOCKWISE TO A DOWN WIND CONDITION. THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY INTO A TERRACED FIELD, THE PILOT MADE A LEFT TURN TO AVOID A DITCH, AND THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE WINDS. A FACTOR WAS THE TAILWIND.

Full Narrative

On April 16, 1994, at 1500 central daylight time, a Jacobson SE5A, N38111, was substantially damaged during takeoff at Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, Rosenberg, Texas. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The pilot/operator report stated the following information. The pilot taxied the airplane to a position in the grass 200 feet prior to the runway to provide for a total takeoff distance of 720 feet. "This airplane normally will takeoff in about 300 feet." During the takeoff roll to the northwest the tail came off the ground prior to reaching 200 feet. When the pilot started his rotation 100 feet further down the runway, the tail descended back onto the runway surface. The wind changed from a right 45 degree 5-15 knot crosswind at the beginning of the takeoff roll, to a 90 degree crosswind at rotation, and continued clockwise to a down wind condition. The airplane went off the departure end of the runway into a terraced field, the pilot made a left turn to avoid a ditch, and the airplane ground looped.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Runway Length520 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftJacobson SE5A Replica SE5A Repli
Tail NumberN38111
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam B Crist
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235C · Reciprocating · 100
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data