# NTSB SEA05CA063: Jeffs J-Bird, N6407M, St. Paul, OR, March 12, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 11, 2005, 18:00 local (Mar 12, 2005, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: St. Paul, OR
- Coordinates: 45.133056, -123.011108
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1331&lon=-123.0111&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Portland, OR
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61151
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05CA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61151/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA063

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with terrain.  A contributing factor was the pilot's decision to fly at low altitude.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was maneuvering the amateur-built airplane at "slow airspeed, low altitude" in a river valley.  He further reported that the left wing stalled during a left turn.  The airplane descended, impacted willow trees, and came to rest on a gravel bar.  The fuselage, both wings and the empennage sustained structural damage.

## Factual narrative

On March 11, 2005, at 1800 Pacific standard time, a Jeffs J-Bird amateur-built airplane, N6407M, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering in the valley of the Willamette River about 6 miles south of St. Paul, Oregon.  The private pilot and the passenger were not injured.  The personal flight was being operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The local flight departed from Chehalem Airpark in Newberg, Oregon about 1730.

The pilot reported that he was maneuvering at "slow airspeed, low altitude" in the river valley.  He further reported that the left wing stalled during a left turn.  The airplane descended, impacted willow trees, and came to rest on a gravel bar.

An FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that the fuselage, both wings and the empennage sustained structural damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6407M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6407M-2019-02-04), registration cancelled 2019-02-04, S/N 001, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Jeffs J-Bird
- Registry model: [Jeffs Billy W J-BIRD](https://openairdocs.org/model/jeffs-billy-w-j-bird) (registry code 0560701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael E. Sanderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 17S, Newberg, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,471 total, 1,413 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20050311002329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050311002329A), Mar 11, 2005: Amtr JBIRD, Saint Paul, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was flying N6407M up the willamette river slow and below the trees, he started a steep left turn and the aircraft began…

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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