# NTSB FTW95LA384: Johnson Rebel 300, N36DJ, Keenesburg, CO, September 9, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 1995, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Keenesburg, CO - Coordinates: 40.100982, -104.509941 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1010&lon=-104.5099&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19575 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA384 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19575/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA384 ## Probable cause INADVERTENT STALL DURING APPROACH. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN MAKE AND MODEL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT RECEIVED HIS PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE THE DAY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO HIS LOGBOOK, HE FLEW THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT FOR ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. WHILE ON BASE LEG TO LANDING AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED IN A 'TIGHT' TURN. WHILE IN THIS TURN THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES TO PITCH DOWN AND IMPACT THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY AN FAA INSPECTOR PROVIDED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 1995, at 1345 mountain daylight time, a Johnson Rebel 300, N36DJ, experimental homebuilt, impacted the ground during approach to a private airstrip near Keenesburg, Colorado. The private pilot received fatal injuries and the aircraft was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this cross country flight operating in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. According to his pilot logbook and FAA records, the pilot received his private certificate on September 8, 1995, the day prior to the accident. The pilot's log reflected that he had flown the aircraft for one hour prior to the accident flight. According to information given to the FAA inspector, who performed the on-scene portion of the investigation, the aircraft was observed in a tight turn on base leg to runway 18 when it pitched sharply nose down and impacted the ground approximately one quarter mile short of the runway. The pilot was transported by helicopter to the hospital in Greeley, Colorado, and expired approximately three hours following the accident. Examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector provided no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36DJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36DJ-2017-04-04), registration cancelled 2017-04-04, S/N S20-880020, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JOHNSON REBEL 300 - Registry model: [Johnson Donald L REBEL 300](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-donald-l-rebel-300) (registry code 05616ND) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 520-880020 - Airframe hours: 409 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-EXP 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gerald Dust - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 1995 - Departed: 2V2, LONGMONT, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 17; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 324 total, 1 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,599 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GXY, 40 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 19950909028109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950909028109A), Sep 9, 1995: Amtr REBEL300, Keenesburg, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Landing on Private strip, with gusty winds. Stalled steep turn to final. Bounced and landed in a 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. --- 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.