# NTSB FTW94LA113: North American SNJ-5, N73SL, Houston, TX, March 28, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1994, 18:30 local (Mar 28, 1994, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.770486, -95.359214 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7705&lon=-95.3592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19023
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19023/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA113

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING LANDING THE PILOT LOOKED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COWLING TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF REMAINING RUNWAY. WHILE HE WAS LOOKING LEFT THE AIRPLANE VEERED RIGHT SHEARED THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND STRUCK A TREE.

## Factual narrative

On March 27, 1994, at 1830 central standard time, a North American SNJ-5, N73SL, was substantially damaged during landing near Houston, Texas.  The private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.

The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator report that during the landing roll he "looked along the left side of the cowling to gage the remaining runway." He further reported that the  "aircraft turned to the right into the prevailing crosswind," rolled onto the grass, with the braking action becoming "ineffective."  Subsequently, the aircraft right wing impacted a tree and came to rest in a water-filled ditch.

The left main landing gear had sheared and there was damage to the left wing.

The aircraft was released to the owner.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N73SL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-5
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 90991
- Engines: P&W R-1340 550 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rozzell, Scott
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal
- Airport: 5TA4, Westheimer Airpark, runway 11, 2,500 × 28 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,320 total, 304 in this make and model, 1,215 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19940327016139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940327016139A), Mar 27, 1994: Namer SNJ5, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Allowed aircraft to veer right on landing roll. Side load sheared left gear. Struck a tree. Gusty crosswind factor.

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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