# NTSB DEN06CA123: Parsons JN4-D Jenny Replica, N5309, Crossville, TN, September 9, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 9, 2006, 08:05 local (13:05 UTC) - Place: Crossville, TN - Coordinates: 35.951667, -85.084999 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9517&lon=-85.0850&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64490 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN06CA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64490/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06CA123 ## Probable cause A loss of control in flight due to a disconnected rudder control cable. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to control the roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - flt control syst,rudder control cable/rod - disconnected - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis According to the pilot he was departing from runway 26. The pilot stated that at 50 to 60 feet above ground level, the bi-plane did not seem to perform as usual, "although the engine seemed to be putting out its normal amount of power." At this time the airplane "began a rapid roll to the left." The pilot countered the roll but was not able to roll back upright. He elected to perform a forced landing to the grass to the left of the runway environment. The airplane came to rest 15 feet off the runway surface, on its right side, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the airplane's systems, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration, revealed the left rudder cable and spring had separated from the rudder control surface. It was not established if this separation took place during the impact or prior to the accident. An examination of the remaining airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot he was departing from runway 26 (5,148 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). The pilot stated that at 50 to 60 feet above ground level, the airplane did not seem to perform as usual, "although the engine seemed to be putting out its normal amount of power." At this time the airplane "began a rapid roll to the left." The pilot countered the roll but was not able to roll back upright. He elected to perform a forced landing to the grass to the left of the runway environment. The bi-plane came to rest 15 feet off the runway surface, on its right side. The lower right wing was bent up 90 degrees at the wing root and the lower left wing was wrinkled and bent down. The upper left wing was bent and wrinkled, the outboard portion of the left elevator was crushed, and the propeller fragmented. According to the routine aviation weather report (METAR), the winds were 130 degrees at 3 knots. An examination of the airplane's systems, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration, revealed the left rudder cable and spring had separated from the rudder control surface. It was not established if this separation took place during the impact or prior to the accident. An examination of the remaining airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5309](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5309-2017-07-06), registration cancelled 2017-07-06, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Parsons JN4-D Jenny Replica - Registry model: [Parsons Robert L JN4-D JENNY REPLICA](https://openairdocs.org/model/parsons-robert-l-jn4-d-jenny-replica) (registry code 056172S) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 6 - Engines: Rotax 912UL 81 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006 - Departed: CSV, Crossville, TN - Destination: CSV - Airport: CSV, Crossville Memorial Airport, runway 26, 5,418 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2004; seat: rear; flight hours: 267 total, 6 in this make and model, 267 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 3 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KCSV, 1 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 20060909031099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060909031099A), Sep 9, 2006: Amtr JENNYREPLICA, Crossville, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that winds were calm at the Crossville, TN airport (csv). Pilot lifted off and felt as though the aircraft was in a stiff cross wind. The… 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.