# NTSB FTW96LA360: Cresap Early Bird Jenny, N12JN, Kersey, CO, August 25, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1996, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Kersey, CO
- Coordinates: 40.379104, -104.560043 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3791&lon=-104.5600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA360
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19957/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA360

## Probable cause

Failure of the throttle linkage.  A related factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing
  - object - other
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

The pilot said the throttle linkage broke while the airplane was in cruise flight.  Engine power dropped to idle and the pilot was forced to land in a hay field.  During the forced landing, the airplane collided with bales of hay and a pivot sprinkler.

## Factual narrative

On August 25, 1996, approximately 1200 mountain daylight time, a Cresap Early Bird Jenny, N12JN, was destroyed during a forced landing near Kersey, Colorado.  The private pilot sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight originated approximately 30 minutes before the accident.

The pilot was sent NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, to be completed and returned.  After a reasonable period of time, the pilot was contacted and advised the report had not been received.  The pilot claimed he had completed the report and put it in the mail.  He adamantly refused to complete another report.

According to a verbal statement made by the pilot to FAA inspectors, the throttle linkage broke while the airplane was in cruise flight.  Engine power dropped to idle and the pilot was forced to land in a hay field.  During the forced landing, the airplane collided with bales of hay and a pivot sprinkler and was destroyed.  FAA inspectors examined the airplane and confirmed the throttle linkage had broken.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12JN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12JN-2017-07-14), registration cancelled 2017-07-14, S/N 1, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cresap EARLY BIRD JENNY (EARLY BIRD)
- Registry model: [Cresap Dwight L EARLY BIRD JENNY](https://openairdocs.org/model/cresap-dwight-l-early-bird-jenny) (registry code 05616U1) (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: 01
- Engines: Unknown UNK/NA reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dwight L. Cresap
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 7CO4, NEW RAYMER, CO
- Destination: 48V, ERIE, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,540 total, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GXY, 15 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 19960825023849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960825023849A), Aug 25, 1996: Amtr EARLYBIRDJNY, Greely, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft throttle linkage broke. Made emergency landing 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.

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