Theordore Jankowski RANS S-12 N248PC

Summary

On 14 June 2006 at about 23:10 local time, a Theordore Jankowski RANS S-12 registered N248PC was involved in an accident near Caribou, Maine, 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

14 June 2006 at 23:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Caribou, Maine, United States

Coordinates

46.8144, -67.9581

Aircraft

Theordore Jankowski RANS S-12

Registration

N248PC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Caribou → Presque Isle

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC06CA146

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in a subsequent impact with trees. A factor in the accident was the unmowed area of vegetation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot initiated a takeoff from a turf runway. After the airplane became airborne it drifted to the left over an approximately 2-foot tall area of unmowed vegetation. The left main landing gear entered the top of the vegetation, the pilot "fought it off," and the airplane broke free. He then pushed forward on the control stick to keep from reaching a critical angle of attack and the landing gear reentered the vegetation once again. The pilot broke free for a second time, and began to climb. He then realized that he was approaching trees, but thought that he would be able to climb above them. Moments later the right wing struck the top of a tree, the airplane pivoted to the right and impacted the ground, seriously injuring the pilot and substantially damaging the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.