# NTSB CEN15LA266: Hunziker Eros 1650R, N104JX, Quitman, TX, June 9, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 9, 2015, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Quitman, TX - Coordinates: 32.763889, -95.39167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7639&lon=-95.3917&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 14, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 91349 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91349/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91349 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA266 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed for the approach to landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hunziker Ben J EROS 1650R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05632DI), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hunziker Ben J EROS 1650R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05632DI), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Hunziker Ben J EROS 1650R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05632DI), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Hunziker Ben J EROS 1650R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05632DI), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hunziker Ben J EROS 1650R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05632DI), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said he was approaching his airstrip at low speed with the airplane in the landing configuration when the wind "stopped." The airplane lost altitude and hit the top of a tree at the end of the runway. The airplane then hit the ground and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On June 9, 2011, about 0930 central daylight time, a Hunziker Eros 1650R, N104JX, struck a tree and impacted terrain while on landing approach to a private airstrip 4 miles southeast of Quitman, Texas. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was seriously injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from the airstrip about 0830.The pilot told an FAA inspector that he was approaching his airstrip at low speed in landing configuration when the wind "stopped." The airplane dropped and hit the top of a tree at the end of the runway. The airplane then hit the ground and nosed over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N104JX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N104JX-2018-02-13), registration cancelled 2018-02-13, S/N 001, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUNZIKER EROS 1650R (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Hunziker Ben J EROS 1650R](https://openairdocs.org/model/hunziker-ben-j-eros-1650r) (registry code 05632DI) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 50 - Engines: ROTAX 503 DCDI 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ben J. Hunziker - Registered owner: Ben J. Hunziker - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 24, 2015 - Departed: NONE, Quitman, TX - Destination: NONE, Quitman, TX - Airport: None, Hunziker - Private, runway 30, 1,425 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: single; flight hours: 48 total, 48 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KJDD, 9 nm away ## 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 20150609014179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150609014179A), Jun 9, 2015: Hunziker Ben J EROS 1650R, Quitman, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot was in landing phase during the flight and impacted a tree at the approach end of the runway. Pilot reported that the wind stopped and the aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91349. 540 KB in all. - Maps or Charts of Accident Area (item 1, .PDF, 406 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433674&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433675&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433676&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.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.