# NTSB LAX85FA385: Jonas Humming Bird, N14GJ, Tucson, AZ, September 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1985, 09:08 local (16:08 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.05978, -111.420845 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0598&lon=-111.4208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA385
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA385

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, takeoff
  - flt control syst,elevator control - inadequate (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT ACFT WAS DESIGNED BY THE PLT AND INCORPORATED A LIFTING BODY SYMETRICAL AIRFOIL SHAPED FUSELAGE. PITCH CONTROL WAS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH A NARROW CHORD CANARD. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT LIFT OFF BRIEFLY TO ABOUT 10 FT AGL DURING THE FOURTH HIGH SPEED TAXI RUN, THEN SETTLE BACK ONTO THE RWY FOR A SHORT TIME. THE ACFT LIFTED OFF AGAIN AND PITCHED 'ABRUPTLY UP', FLIPPED OVER ONTO ITS BACK AND SLIDE DOWN THE RWY BACKWARDS. THE ACFT RECORDS DISCLOSED THAT ABOUT ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR INCIDENT; HOWEVER, THE ACFT DID NOT PITCH UP PAST THE VERTICAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14GJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14GJ-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JONAS HUMMING BIRD (HUMMING BI)
- Registry model: [Jonas Gerald L HUMMING BIRD](https://openairdocs.org/model/jonas-gerald-l-humming-bird) (registry code 05613J5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1-82
- Airframe hours: 50
- Engines: REVMASTER 2100D 78 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald L. Jonas
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1985, 8 hours before
- Airport: RYN, Ryan Field, runway 6, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 350 total, 50 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850908043499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850908043499A), Sep 8, 1985: Amtr HUMMINGBIRD, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Got airborne, then landed on all 3 gears. Rolled for 3 seconds, then pitched up and went onto back. First flight.

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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