Rans S-12 UNREG

Summary

On 23 April 1997 at about 01:49 local time, a Rans S-12 registered UNREG was involved in an accident near Goldsby, Oklahoma, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 April 1997 at 01:49

Classification

Accident

Location

Goldsby, Oklahoma, United States

Nearest airport

David Jay Perry (OK14)

Coordinates

35.0100, -97.3697

Aircraft

Rans S-12

Registration

UNREG

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97LA178

2 people were seriously injured.

the pilot-in-command's improper judgment in allowing the passenger to control the airplane, and the pilot-in-command's inadequate supervision. Factors relating to the accident were: the passenger's failure to maintain minimum required airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall; the passenger's lack of total experience; and the pilot-in-command's lack of total experience.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported to the police that the passenger was operating the airplane when it, 'lost airspeed and began falling.' The pilot took control of the aircraft from the passenger and attempted to recover by lowering the nose to regain airspeed. During recovery, the airplane struck the ground. According to a witness, the airplane performed a touch and go. While turning downwind at approximately 100 feet, the aircraft 'apparently stalled.' He further stated that, 'the aircraft rolled to wings level and the nose was in an almost level attitude, approximately 20 degrees nose low at about 50 feet, when a second stall occurred.' According to an FAA inspector, the pilot believed that the airplane was in the ultralight category, therefore, did not need to be registered. However, according to FAR Part 103, the airplane was not eligible for an ultralight classification, and conditions had not been met for an exemption to Part 103 (for instructional purposes); the pilot-in-command was a student pilot and did not possess a medical certificate. Also, the passenger did not have an FAA pilot or medical certificate.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.