Jennings John C MINI MAX UNREG

Summary

On 19 March 2011 at about 16:55 local time, a Jennings John C MINI MAX registered UNREG, operated by John Carrol Jennings, was involved in an accident near Clinton, South Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 March 2011 at 16:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Clinton, South Carolina, United States

Coordinates

34.5172, -81.8397

Aircraft

Jennings John C MINI MAX

Registration

UNREG

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

John Carrol Jennings

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Clinton → Clinton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11LA208

1 person died.

The pilot's inadequate performance planning, which resulted in a collision with a tree during takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.