Takeoff & Initial Climb · NTSB ERA11LA208
Jennings John C Mini Max — Clinton, SC
| Date | March 19, 2011 |
| Location | Clinton, SC |
| Aircraft | Jennings John C Mini Max (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Takeoff Loss of control in flight |
| Pilot age | 71 |
| Pilot total time | Unknown |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate performance planning, which resulted in a collision with a tree during takeoff.
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Flight planning/navigation-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Qualification/certification-Pilot
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome
What happened
According to a witness, as the amateur-built airplane began its takeoff climb, the left wing hit a small tree. The airplane then tilted to the left and collided with larger trees before impacting the ground. An examination of the accident site revealed that the takeoff area was adjacent to the pilot’s home. The takeoff area had 150 yards of cleared trees with 100-foot-tall trees on both ends of the clearing. The left wing impacted a tree approximately 20 above ground level, shearing off about half of the wing; the airplane then impacted larger trees before colliding with the ground. The non-certificated pilot likely did not have sufficient clearance from obstacles to perform a takeoff.