# NTSB FTW94LA137: Jacobson SE5A Replica, N38111, Rosenberg, TX, April 16, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1994, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Rosenberg, TX
- Coordinates: 29.539224, -95.789337 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5392&lon=-95.7893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA137

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE WINDS. A FACTOR WAS THE TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT TAXIED THE AIRPLANE TO A POSITION IN THE GRASS 200 FEET PRIOR TO THE RUNWAY TO PROVIDE A TAKEOFF DISTANCE OF 720 FEET.  THE REQUIRED TAKEOFF DISTANCE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WAS APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET.  DURING THE TAKE OFF ROLL THE TAIL CAME OFF THE GROUND PRIOR TO 200 FEET.  WHEN THE PILOT STARTED HIS ROTATATION 100 FEET FURTHER DOWN THE RUNWAY, THE TAIL DESCENDED BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY SURFACE.  THE WIND WAS 5-15 KNOTS AND CHANGED FROM A RIGHT 45 DEGREE CROSSWIND AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TAKEOFF ROLL TO A 90 DEGREE CROSSWIND AT ROTATION, AND THEN CONTINUED CLOCKWISE TO A DOWN WIND CONDITION.  THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY INTO A TERRACED FIELD, THE PILOT MADE A LEFT TURN TO AVOID A DITCH, AND THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED.

## Factual narrative

On April 16, 1994, at 1500 central daylight time, a Jacobson SE5A, N38111, was substantially damaged during takeoff at Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, Rosenberg, Texas.  The private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.

The pilot/operator report stated the following information.  The pilot taxied the airplane to a position in the grass 200 feet prior to the runway to provide for a total takeoff distance of 720 feet.  "This airplane normally will takeoff in about 300 feet."  During the takeoff roll to the northwest the tail came off the ground prior to reaching 200 feet.  When the pilot started his rotation 100 feet further down the runway, the tail descended back onto the runway surface.  The wind changed from a right 45 degree 5-15 knot crosswind at the beginning of the takeoff roll, to a 90 degree crosswind at rotation, and continued clockwise to a down wind condition.  The airplane went off the departure end of the runway into a terraced field, the pilot made a left turn to avoid a ditch, and the airplane ground looped.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N38111 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: JACOBSON SE5A REPLICA (SE5A REPLI)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 071013
- Airframe hours: 108
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William B. Crist
- Registered owner: Jay Rankin
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1993, 21 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: 3TA1, MANVEL, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,578 total, 99 in this make and model, 1,578 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19940416018809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940416018809A), Apr 16, 1994: Amtrrp SE5AREPLICA, Rosenberg, TX, Substantial damage. Began takeoff short strip. Windshift to tailwind. Overran end runway and ground looped in terraced field.

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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