CEN09CA314

NTSB accident investigation · Jabiru J230-SP · Delavan, WI · May 24, 2009

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
May 24, 2009, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
Place
Delavan, WI
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N685JJabiru J230-SP
Defining event
Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report November 9, 2009
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Central Region
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
Case key
73908

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model airplane.

Findings · 3

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

Prior to the accident, the pilot had performed three takeoffs and landings on runway 36. During the fourth landing, the airplane began to veer to the left after touchdown. The pilot applied "hard right rudder which had little effect until the nosewheel touched down." After the nose wheel touched down, the airplane began to turn to the right; however, the left wing impacted trees. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing was partially separated from the airframe and the composite fuselage was cracked along the longitudinal axis. The pilot reported that he had 1,370 total flight hours and 12 hours in the accident airplane. The pilot stated that the accident airplane was not equipped with toe brakes, which was different than the airplanes he had been used to flying.

Factual narrative

Prior to the accident, the pilot had performed three take-off and landings on runway 36. During the fourth landing, the airplane began to veer to the left after touchdown. The pilot applied "hard right rudder which had little effect until the nose wheel touched down." After the nose wheel touched down, the airplane began to turn to the right; however, the left wing impacted trees. Examination of the airplane revealed the left wing was partially separated from the airframe and the composite fuselage was cracked along the longitudinal axis. The pilot reported he had 1,370 total flight hours and 12 hours in the accident airplane. The pilot stated the accident airplane was not equipped with toe brakes, which was different than the airplanes he had been used to flying.

Aircraft

Registration
N685J
Reported as
Jabiru J230-SP
Category
Airplane
Serial number
622
Airframe hours
39
Engine
Jabiru 3300, 120 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Special light-sport (Special)
Last inspection
Condition · May 6, 2009
Departed
PWK · Palwaukee, IL
Destination
C59 · Delavan, WI
Airport
C59 · Lake Lawn Airport, runway 36, 4,423 × 80 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
76
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Sport pilot
Last flight review
April 17, 2009
Seat
Left
Flight hours
1,370 total · 12 in this make and model · 1,370 as pilot in command · 12 in the last 90 days · 12 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
70° at 8 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
3,500 ft broken
Temperature
70 °F

Docket · 1

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2009, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 324 KB in all.