Morrison RANS-12 N91337

Summary

On 24 September 2000 at about 21:30 local time, a Morrison RANS-12 registered N91337 was involved in an accident near Warrenton, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 September 2000 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Warrenton, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Warrenton Airpark (9W0)

Coordinates

38.7090, -77.7907

Aircraft

Morrison RANS-12

Registration

N91337

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bealton → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC00LA266

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's inadequate airspeed which resulted in the inadvertent stall. A factor related to the accident was the gusting wind condition.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

As the airplane arrived in the airport area, the pilot observed a thunderstorm "moving in" from the west/northwest, at a distance of about 10 miles. As the pilot turned left base for final approach, about 150-200 feet above the ground, a gust of wind came over the trees and "flipped the airplane over." The airplane descended, impacted trees, and crashed onto the runway. The pilot additionally stated that he was at an indicated airspeed of 50-55mph when he encountered the wind gust and that the stalling speed of the airplane was 37 mph. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airplane Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-3 stated, "After turning onto the base leg, the pilot should start the descent with reduced power and an airspeed of approximately 1.4 Vso." FAA Advisory Circular AC 61-67B stated, Stall and Spin Awareness Training, "Turbulence can cause an aircraft to stall at a significantly higher airspeed than in stable conditions. A vertical gust or windshear can cause a sudden change in the relative wind, and result in an abrupt increase in angle of attack. Although a gust may not be maintained long enough for a stall to develop, the aircraft may stall while the pilot is attempting to control the flightpath, particularly during an approach in gusty conditions. When flying in moderate to severe turbulence or strong crosswinds, a higher than normal approach speed should be maintained. In cruise flight in moderate or severe turbulence, an airspeed well above the indicated stall speed and below maneuvering speed should be used." The winds recorded at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident were from 350 degrees at 6 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.