# Accident 19990509020449A: Ryan STASPECIAL, Leesburg, FL, May 9, 1999

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 9, 1999
- Place: Leesburg, FL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.7993° N, 81.8798° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7993&lon=-81.8798&mi=10
- Aircraft: N18904, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18904) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Ryan Aeronautical ST-A SPECIAL (registry code 7830404, https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st-a-special) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Menasco PIRATE C4 D4 (registry code 43504, https://openairdocs.org/engine/menasco-pirate-c4-d4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN STASPECIAL
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB MIA99LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA154) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990509020449A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON MAY 9, 1999, ABOUT 1215 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A RYAN ST-A, N18904, REGISTERED TO A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL, IMPACTED WITH A FENCE DURING TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP NEAR LEESBURG, FLORIDA. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED FOR THE 14 CFR PART 91 PERSONAL FLIGHT.  THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.  THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT-RATED PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER REPORTED NO INJURIES.  THE FLIGHT HAD ORIGINATED AT AN UNKNOWN TIME FROM THE SAME AIRPORT.  THE AIRPLANE WAS TAKING OFF FROM A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP AND STRUCK A 5 FEET TALL FENCE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.  AFTER STRIKING THE FENCE THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.                                                                          (-23)PILOT ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF FROM GRASS STRIP.  COULD NOT CLEAR FENCE AT END OF RUNWAY AND STRUCK FENCE WITH LANDING GEAR.  CAUSING ARICRAFT TO LAND INVERTED ON OTHER SIDE OF FENCE.  PILOT AND PASSENGER RECEIVED NO INJURIES.  AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO LEFT WING, BOTH LANDING GEAR  AND SEVERE BUCKLING OF FUSELAGE IN SEVERAL PLACES.  MOTOR MOUNT BROKE AND VERTICAL FIN AND RUDDER WERE DAMAGED.  INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT REVEALED CONTROL  CONTINUITY TO ALL FLIGHT CONTROLS, POWERPLANT CONTROLS WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. AN INSPECTION  OF THE LANDING GEAR REVEALED A SEVERE DRAG FROM THE BRAKE ON THE LEFT WHEEL, WHILE THE RIGHT WHEEL TURNED FREELY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MIA99LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA154), May 9, 1999: Ryan ST-A (N18904), Leesburg, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the fence.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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