Amateur-built B75-N1 accident near Jaffery, New Hampshire, October 9, 2004
On October 9, 2004 at about 4:22 pm local time, a amateur-built B75-N1, registered N49738, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jaffery, New Hampshire (Silver Ranch Airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilots inadvertent encounter with a downdraft wind condition and the airplane's inability to climb, which resulted in a forced landing. A factor related to the accident was the downdraft wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 9, 2004 · about 4:22 pm local time
- Place
- Jaffery, New Hampshire · Silver Ranch Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built B75-N1
- Registration
- N49738 · no longer on the register · serial 75-4281
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While climbing out after takeoff, at an altitude of approximately 300 to 350 feet, the airplane started to descend. The pilot recognized this as windshear and prepared for a forced landing. In an effort to avoid trees and a residential area ahead, the pilot turned the airplane to the right, and performed a forced landing to a field. Upon touching down hard in the field, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot added that he observed the windsock prior to takeoff as indicating a northwest wind at 15 knots, and that the engine was developing full power during the flight. The winds recorded by an ASOS at the airport, about 30 minute prior to the accident were from 190 degrees, at 11 knots. The winds reported about 30 minutes after the accident were from 200 degrees, at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 23,000 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental W670 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AFN Jaffery NH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 2,982 ft by 134 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 11 knots
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 3:52 pm from AFN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.