# NTSB ERA09CA135: North American SNJ-5, N7861B, Merritt Island, FL, January 16, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 16, 2009, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Merritt Island, FL - Coordinates: 28.339721, -80.686386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3397&lon=-80.6864&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73243 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73243/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA135 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing in windy conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [North American SNJ-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=6400418), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [North American SNJ-5, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=6400418), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [North American SNJ-5, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=6400418), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [North American SNJ-5, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=6400418), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing on runway 29 at his destination airport. The winds were from 350 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 18 knots. During the landing rollout, he lost directional control and the airplane ground-looped. The airplane then departed the right side of the runway and impacted a taxiway location sign. The airplane came to rest on the right side of the runway, approximately 1,250 feet from the threshold. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing, both main landing gear, and the propeller. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a North American SNJ-5 was landing on runway 29 at his destination airport. The winds were 350 at 15 gusting to 18 knots. During the landing rollout, he lost directional control and the airplane ground looped. The airplane then departed the right side of the runway and impacted a taxiway location sign. The airplane came to rest on the right side of the runway, approximately 1,250 feet from the threshold. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing, both main landing gear, and the propeller. No pre-impact mechanical malfunctions were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7861B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7861B), registered now, S/N 43736, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-5 - Registry model: [North American SNJ-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-5) (registry code 6400418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 43736 - Airframe hours: 6387 - Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 2008 - Departed: KISM, Kissimmee, FL - Destination: KCOI, Merritt Island, FL - Airport: COI, Merritt Island, runway 29, 3,601 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 380 total, 90 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 360° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: KCOF, 8 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 20090116000589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090116000589A), Jan 16, 2009: Namer SNJ5, Merritt Island, FL, Substantial damage. On 01-16-2009, north American snj, N7861B, was landing on runway 29 at Merritt Island (coi). After touch down and during rollout the aircraft left the runway… 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.