Pilot Debrief

RANS S6 near Fletcher, NC — 2019-06-26

Final reportERA19FA200
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Date
2019-06-26
Location
Fletcher, NC, USA
Airport
NC67
Aircraft
RANS S6
Registration
N661PF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin at low altitude. Contributing was the lack of experience both pilots possessed in the accident airplane.

Contributing factors

Contributing was the lack of experience both pilots possessed in the accident airplane.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot and flight instructor were conducting a flight review. The flight departed from a private grass field airport and maneuvered in the local area for about 20 minutes and then returned to the airport. They then departed again, and shortly after takeoff the airplane's climb rate rapidly increased, airspeed rapidly deteriorated, which was subsequently followed by a descent into terrain. Multiple witnesses described the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall and a subsequent fully developed spin, where the airplane impacted the ground in a nose low attitude. Examination revealed no anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation, and damage signatures and a witness account indicated that the engine was producing power at the time of the accident. Fuel observed in the carburetor bowls indicated that the engine was receiving fuel normally at the time of impact. The investigation could not determine why airplane control was lost or who was the pilot flying during the flight's final takeoff and climb. Both pilots were certificated flight instructors, and each had logged several thousands of hours of flight time, however, the flight instructor had never flown the accident airplane, and the commercial pilot had logged under 5 hours of flight time in the accident airplane. It is likely that both pilot's inexperience in the accident airplane contributed to the loss of control at low altitude. Although both pilots were at increased risk for a sudden cardiac event, there was no evidence on autopsy of such an event, therefore, it is unlikely either pilot’s cardiovascular disease was a factor in the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the takeoff after initial climb issues were observed.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 15 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents15

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