# NTSB ERA09CA313: Pensinger Zodiac 601, N250JP, Greeneville, TN, May 31, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 31, 2009, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Greeneville, TN - Coordinates: 36.29639, -82.760559 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2964&lon=-82.7606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Nashville FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73937 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA313 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73937/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73937 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA313 ## Probable cause An encounter with wind shear on initial climb after takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Pensinger ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=05619H3), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Pensinger ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=05619H3), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Pensinger ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05619H3), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Pensinger ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05619H3), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Pensinger ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=05619H3), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the departure airport has hills located to the east and north of the airport. He obtained an abbreviated computer weather briefing before the flight indicating that the surface winds were from 040 degrees at 6 knots. The surface winds at another airport located 20 nautical miles east of the departure airport were from 240 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot departed from runway 4 and started a right turn while flying 100 to 200 feet above ground level just past the hill located to the east. The pilot stated that the airspeed immediately decreased, the airplane became "mushy," and then made contact with a tree. The pilot stated that he encountered a wind change or wind shear swirling between the two hills. The airplane continued to lose altitude, and he made an off-field landing in an open field. The airplane hit an electrical line as he landed the airplane perpendicular to a road. The airplane collided with an embankment and burst into flames. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated the departure airport has hills located to the east and north of the airport. He obtained an abbreviated computer weather briefing before the flight. The surface winds at the departure airport were 040 degrees at 6 knots. The surface winds at another airport located 20 nautical miles east of the departure airport were 240 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot departed from runway 4 and started a right turn between 100 to 200 feet AGL just past the hill located to the east. The airspeed on the airplane immediately decreased. The airplane became mushy, and the airplane contacted a tree. The pilot stated he encountered a wind change or wind shear swirling between the two hills. He observed an open field with a farmer bailing hay. The airplane continued to loose altitude, and he made an off field landing. The airplane hit an electrical line and he landed the airplane perpendicular to a road. The airplane collided with an embankment and burst into flames. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N250JP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N250JP-2009-06-22), registration cancelled 2009-06-22, S/N 6-5646, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PENSINGER ZODIAC 601 - Registry model: [Pensinger ZODIAC 601 XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/pensinger-zodiac-601-xl) (registry code 05619H3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-5646 - Airframe hours: 683 - Engines: Jabiru 3300A 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pensinger James M - Registered owner: Pensinger James M - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 9, 2009, 8 hours before - Departed: TN99, Greeneville, TN - Destination: RVN, Rodgersville, TN - Airport: TN99 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 7, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 2,220 total, 683 in this make and model, 2,220 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 11 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 4,500 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: TRI, 20 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 20090531014399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090531014399A), May 31, 2009: Zodiac 601XL, Greeneville, TN, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Departed runway 4 and was making a right turn just past the hill to his right. His airspeed immediately decreased, and the airplane… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73937. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314164&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314145&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.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.