Pilot Debrief

BRYANT FREDERICK M RANS S-12 near Vienna, MD — 2013-08-11

Final reportERA13LA361
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Date
2013-08-11
Location
Vienna, MD, USA
Aircraft
BRYANT FREDERICK M RANS S-12
Registration
N557BB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The student pilot’s inadequate control of the airplane, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with water.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that, after maneuvering the experimental amateur-built Rans S-12 airplane in flight for several minutes, he banked the airplane right, applied engine power, and increased the airplane's pitch attitude but that "something didn't feel right." The student pilot responded by applying more power; however, the airplane started to descend. He turned the airplane's nose into the wind, applied full power to the engine, and continued to increase the pitch attitude, but the airplane still would not climb. The student pilot then reduced the engine power to idle while continuing to bank right, and the airplane subsequently impacted the water. An examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. According to federal guidance, the Rans S-12 falls under the low-inertia and/or high-drag category, which makes the airplane susceptible to unintentional stalls. When the student pilot banked the airplane right and applied engine power, the airplane likely entered a stall due to the airplane's low-inertia and/or high-drag tendencies.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Student pilot could have aborted the maneuver when it didn't feel right.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 11 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents11

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