# NTSB CEN12CA026: Jantzen Evans VP, N331EJ, Terrell, TX, October 16, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 16, 2011, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Terrell, TX - Coordinates: 32.808612, -96.351943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8086&lon=-96.3519&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 8, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82100 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82100/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82100 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA026 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, in that he did not determine whether the airplane’s climb performance would be sufficient to clear obstacles before initiating take off. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Jantzen EVANS VP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=0562380), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Jantzen EVANS VP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=0562380), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Jantzen EVANS VP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=0562380), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Jantzen EVANS VP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0562380), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after a preflight inspection and normal run up, he taxied to the runway for takeoff. The airplane lifted off the runway about midfield but was not climbing as expected, although the engine was operating normally. As the airplane climbed through about 100 feet above ground level, the pilot thought that the airplane was losing lift or stalling, so he lowered the nose and simultaneously banked right to avoid the tops of a stand of trees near the departure end of the runway. During the turn, the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that the airplane was near its maximum gross takeoff weight at the time of the accident, which could have explained the less-than-expected climb performance. He also stated that if he had not had to maneuver away from trees just beyond the departure end of the runway, he may have effected a landing without incident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after a preflight and normal run up he taxied to the runway for takeoff. The airplane lifted off the runway about midfield, but was not climbing as the pilot expected. He stated that the engine was operating normally. As the airplane climbed through about 100 feet, the pilot felt that the airplane was losing lift or stalling, so he lowered the nose and simultaneously had to bank to the right to avoid the tops of a stand of trees near the departure end of the runway. During the turn, the airplane stalled and hit the ground, and that is the last thing that the pilot recalled about the event. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that the airplane was at or above its maximum gross takeoff weight at the time of the accident, which could have explained the less than expected climb performance. He also stated that if he did not have to maneuver away from trees just beyond the departure end of the runway, he may have effected a landing without incident. After the accident, the pilot offered a safety recommendation in his NTSB Form 6120 Pilot/Operator Report. He stated that pilots who fly airplanes with low horsepower should avoid operating at airports with obstacles in close proximity to the runway, as there is not much margin for error. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N331EJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N331EJ-2017-09-18), registration cancelled 2017-09-18, S/N P15, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JANTZEN EVANS VP - Registry model: [Jantzen EVANS VP](https://openairdocs.org/model/jantzen-evans-vp) (registry code 0562380) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: P15 - Airframe hours: 50 - Engines: VOLKSWAGEN CONVERSION 36 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: King Grady W - Registered owner: King Grady W - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 22, 2011 - Departed: 1F7, Rockwall, TX - Destination: 1F7, Rockwall, TX - Airport: 1F7, Rockwall ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; last flight review September 14, 2010; seat: single; flight hours: 385 total, 1 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: 1F7 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20111016030019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111016030019A), Oct 16, 2011: Jantzen EVANS VP, Rockwall, TX, Destroyed. [privacy data omitted] Departed dallas airpark east (1F7) for a local flight in the pattern. On the morning of October 16, 2011 at approximatley 8:30AM local… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 19, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82100. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361415&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.