# NTSB MIA85FA251: Jodel D-9, N12HD, Okeechobee, FL, September 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1985, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Okeechobee, FL
- Coordinates: 26.530582, -80.190681 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5306&lon=-80.1907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31263/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA251

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD FLOWN ONLY 4 HAS IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS IN A CESSNA 150 TYPE ACFT & HAD NEVER FLOWN A JODEL 09 BEFORE. THE PLT BOARDED THE ACFT, DECLINED A COCKPIT CHECK BY THE OWNER & MADE AN IMMEDIATE TAKE OFF. THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM THE GRASS STRIP WITHOUT PERFORMING ANY PREFLT CHECK, ENG RUN UP OR MAGCHECK. THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED EXPERIMENTAL ACFT WAS OBSERVED BY 2 PLT WITNESSES TO MAKE THE ENTIRE TAKE OFF RUN IN A 3 POINT ATTITUDE. THE ACFT CLIMBED AWAY FROM THE GROUND IN A VERY NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, LEVELED OFF, THEN ENTER A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE AGAIN. THIS ERRATIC FLT PATH WAS REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A STALL THEN SPIN TO THE GROUND FROM AN ALT OF 150 TO 200 FT. THE OWNER OF THE ACFT DESCRIBED THE ACFT AS EASY TO FLY BUT 'A LITTLE SENSITIVE ON THE CONTROLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12HD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12HD-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N 09, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JODEL D-9
- Registry model: [Donnelly William H JODEL D9](https://openairdocs.org/model/donnelly-william-h-jodel-d9) (registry code 0566165) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 109
- Airframe hours: 424
- Engines: LYCOMING O-145-B2 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert H. Knosp
- Registered owner: Sam Mckeever
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1985, 14 hours before
- Departed: OKEEECHOBEE, FL
- Airport: NONE, River Acres, runway 15, 4,200 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 35 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 19850911047309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850911047309A), Sep 11, 1985: Amtrsg JODELBEBED9, Okeechobee, FL, Destroyed. Pitch oscillated several times before spin to ground impact. This was first flight in aircraft for pilot.

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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