Pilot Debrief

PENSINGER ZODIAC 601 near Greeneville, TN — 2009-05-31

Final reportERA09CA313
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Date
2009-05-31
Location
Greeneville, TN, USA
Airport
TN99
Aircraft
PENSINGER ZODIAC 601
Registration
N250JP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

An encounter with wind shear on initial climb after takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that the departure airport has hills located to the east and north of the airport. He obtained an abbreviated computer weather briefing before the flight indicating that the surface winds were from 040 degrees at 6 knots. The surface winds at another airport located 20 nautical miles east of the departure airport were from 240 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot departed from runway 4 and started a right turn while flying 100 to 200 feet above ground level just past the hill located to the east. The pilot stated that the airspeed immediately decreased, the airplane became "mushy," and then made contact with a tree. The pilot stated that he encountered a wind change or wind shear swirling between the two hills. The airplane continued to lose altitude, and he made an off-field landing in an open field. The airplane hit an electrical line as he landed the airplane perpendicular to a road. The airplane collided with an embankment and burst into flames. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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