# NTSB DFW07CA126: Gray Jack Tean Rocket F1, N61R, Seabrook, TX, June 1, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 1, 2007, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Seabrook, TX
- Coordinates: 29.409166, -95.286666
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4092&lon=-95.2867&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Houston, Texas
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65914/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA126

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reason.  A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the precautionary landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Overrun, emergency landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - short runway/landing area
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot overran the departure end of the grass runway during a precautionary landing following a partial loss of engine power.  The 1,393-hour commercial pilot reported hearing a loud noise while in cruise flight, followed by a partial loss of engine power.  The pilot attempted to land the high performance single-engine airplane on a 1,400-foot-long, by 75-foot-wide grass runway.  The pilot, who had accumulated a total of 320-hours in the same make and model, reported that he "elected to set the plane down, knowing I would go-off the end of the runway."  The homebuilt airplane overran the departure end of the grass runway and collided with trees and terrain.  Both wings sustained structural damage.  The pilot exited through the canopy with minor injuries.  The pilot reported that the 260-horsepower engine had accumulated a total of 265-hours, with 7-hours since its last inspection.  The reason for the partial loss of power could not be determined.

## Factual narrative

The pilot overran the departure end of the grass runway during a precautionary landing following a partial loss of engine power.  The 1,393-hour commercial pilot reported hearing a loud noise while in cruise flight, followed by a partial loss of engine power.  The pilot attempted to land the high performance single-engine airplane on a 1,400-foot-long, by 75-foot-wide grass runway.  The pilot, who had accumulated a total of 320-hours in the same make and model, reported that he "elected to set the plane down, knowing I would go-off the end of the runway."  The homebuilt airplane overran the departure end of the grass runway and collided with trees and terrain.  Both wings sustained structural damage.  The pilot exited through the canopy with minor injuries.  The pilot reported that the 260-horsepower engine had accumulated a total of 265-hours, with 7-hours since its last inspection.  The reason for the partial loss of power could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61R), registered now, S/N 70, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Gray Jack Tean Rocket F1
- Registry model: [Gray Jack L TEAM ROCKET F1](https://openairdocs.org/model/gray-jack-l-team-rocket-f1) (registry code 05614NV) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 70
- Airframe hours: 265
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack Gray
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007, 7 hours before
- Departed: T41, LA PORTE, TX
- Destination: HDO, HONDO, TX
- Airport: 6R5, Alvin Airpark, runway 21, 1,420 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 1,393 total, 320 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 14 nm away

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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