31 May 2009: PENSINGER ZODIAC 601 — PENSINGER JAMES M

31 May 2009: PENSINGER ZODIAC 601 — PENSINGER JAMES M

No fatalities • Greeneville, TN, United States

Probable cause

An encounter with wind shear on initial climb after takeoff.

— NTSB Determination

Accident 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.

Contributing factors

  • cause Effect on operation

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 240/11kt, vis 4500sm

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