Amateur-built 2/3 Earlybird Jenny accident near Grantham, North Carolina, May 13, 2004
On May 13, 2004 at about 11:10 pm local time, a amateur-built 2/3 Earlybird Jenny, registered N112PE, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grantham, North Carolina (Shane Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 2004 · about 11:10 pm local time
- Place
- Grantham, North Carolina · Shane Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built 2/3 Earlybird Jenny
- Registration
- N112PE · no longer on the register · serial AE-0-0-1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that the airplane touched down a little more than one-quarter of the runway. The airplane bounced and the pilot performed a go around. As the pilot pushed the throttles forward, he noted that the airplane felt "bogged down" and did not develop full power. The pilot stated that he banked left to avoid a collision with trees at the end of the runway, however the airplane collided with trees on the left side of the runway. The airplane came to rest approximately 50 yards beyond the tree line. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the engine was broken from the mounts, the left wing was damaged, the bottom of the right wing was crushed and the right wing guy wires were broken. An engine examination revealed that sediment was in the carburetor bowls, however a functional engine run was accomplished.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 121 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 60 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 30, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 21, 2003
- Maximum gross weight: 800 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6NC0 Grantham NC at 10:30 pm
- Destination: PRVT Grantham NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 350, 1,500 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 pm from KGSB, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.