PENSINGER ZODIAC 601
Greeneville, TN — May 31, 2009
Event Information
| Date | May 31, 2009 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA09CA313 |
| Event ID | 20090601X54259 |
| Location | Greeneville, TN |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 36.29639, -82.76056 |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | PENSINGER |
| Model | ZODIAC 601 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
An encounter with wind shear on initial climb after takeoff.
Full Narrative
The pilot stated the departure airport has hills located to the east and north of the airport. He obtained an abbreviated computer weather briefing before the flight. The surface winds at the departure airport were 040 degrees at 6 knots. The surface winds at another airport located 20 nautical miles east of the departure airport were 240 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot departed from runway 4 and started a right turn between 100 to 200 feet AGL just past the hill located to the east. The airspeed on the airplane immediately decreased. The airplane became mushy, and the airplane contacted a tree. The pilot stated he encountered a wind change or wind shear swirling between the two hills. He observed an open field with a farmer bailing hay. The airplane continued to loose altitude, and he made an off field landing. The airplane hit an electrical line and 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.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.