# NTSB FTW93LA256: Jones Dominator, N44VJ, Magnolia, AR, September 4, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1993, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Magnolia, AR
- Coordinates: 33.269622, -93.229202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2696&lon=-93.2292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18828
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18828/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA256

## Probable cause

TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.  A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

WHILE IN A LEFT BANK AND JUST PAST THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY THE ENGINE STOPPED AND THE PILOT HAD TO LAND THE AIRPLANE STRAIGHT AHEAD IN TALL WEEDS AND BRIARS. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD TWO PREVIOUS ENGINE FAILURES AND HAD CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP, THE PULSE LINE, AND THE FUEL LINE. AN ENGINE EXAMINATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE POWER LOSS. THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT AFTER THE ENGINE WORK.

## Factual narrative

On September 4, 1993, at 1700 central daylight time, a Jones Dominator, N44VJ, sustained substantial damage near Magnolia, Arkansas, during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.

The Pilot/Operator report indicated that the flight departed runway 17 and continued to climb past the end of the runway.  The pilot stated that "just as I started to bank to the left my engine stopped and I had to land straight ahead in tall weeds and briars" which "impeded" the wheels.  He further stated that the gyroplane nosed over and subsequently came to rest on the left side.  Main rotor blades, propeller, and structural tubings were damaged.  The pilot reported that he had experienced two previous engine failures and had changed the fuel pump, the pulse line, and the fuel line.  This was the first flight following that work.

An engine examination conducted by the pilot did not reveal any discrepancies that would have contributed to the power loss.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44VJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44VJ-2007-10-02), registration cancelled 2007-10-02, S/N 62244, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JONES DOMINATOR
- Registry model: [Jones Virgil DOMINATOR](https://openairdocs.org/model/jones-virgil-dominator) (registry code 13015JZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 62244
- Airframe hours: 32
- Engines: ROTAX 503 UL DCDI 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jones, Virgil W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 4, 1993, 1 hours before
- Airport: AGO, Magnolia Municipal, runway 17, 4,608 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 32 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELD, 80 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 19930904033539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930904033539A), Sep 4, 1993: Amtr DOMINATOR, Magnolia, AR, Substantial damage. Turning base engine quit. Landed tall weeds and briars. Prior engine fails. Changed fuel pump pulse and fuel lines.

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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