# NTSB CHI07CA119: Johnson-Whittman Tailwind JW9L, N1041Z, Saginaw, MI, April 20, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 20, 2007, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Saginaw, MI
- Coordinates: 43.433334, -83.861663
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4333&lon=-83.8617&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65677
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65677/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA119

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath and clearance from a fence while on final approach.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The experimental amateur-built airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with a fence and terrain.  The pilot suspected engine problems on takeoff and elected to return to the departure airport.  The pilot's accident report stated, "Pilot has flown over the old 4' fence many times over in the last 20 years, but did not realize the new 6' fence was out of sight and at this distance the pilot needs to lower the tail for a 3 point landing."  An examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact anomalies.

## Factual narrative

The experimental amateur-built airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with a fence and terrain.  The pilot suspected engine problems on takeoff and elected to return to the departure airport.  The pilot's accident report stated, "Pilot has flown over the old 4' fence many times over in the last 20 years, but did not realize the new 6' fence was out of sight and at this distance the pilot needs to lower the tail for a 3 point landing."  An examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1041Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1041Z-2018-02-09), registration cancelled 2018-02-09, S/N 1, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Johnson-Whittman Tailwind JW9L
- Registry model: [Johnson-Whittman Tailwind JW9L](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-whittman-tailwind-jw9l) (registry code 9790341) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Engines: Lycoming O-290 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: HYX, Saginaw, MI
- Destination: 3BS, MIDLAND, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,568 total, 75 in this make and model, 1,464 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observed at: HYX

## 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 20070420006549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070420006549A), Apr 20, 2007: Johnso JW9L, Saginaw, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that after takeoff from runway 27 he suspected a potential engine problem and was returning to the field for a landing on runway 05.…

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.

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