# NTSB ATL01LA034: Jack McDaniel Rans S-12, N823S, Homestead, FL, February 10, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 10, 2001, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Homestead, FL - Coordinates: 25.480705, -80.40924 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4807&lon=-80.4092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Miami FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51725 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51725/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA034 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to maintain flying speed during a soft field takeoff, that resulted in the loss of control and a stall/ spin. ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, the airplane lost power, and the pilot made a forced landing in a plowed field. The pilot examined the engine and felt that he could takeoff again. The pilot stated that after takeoff he reduced flaps from two notches to one, and the airplane banked to the right. The airplane then went into a stall/ spin, and collided with the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed that there was contamination in the fuel system but there were no other maintenance related problems noted with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On February 10, 2001, at 1015 eastern standard time, a Jack McDaniel, Rans S-12, N823S, collided with the ground while attempting to takeoff from a plowed field, near Homestead, Florida. The experimental airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The pilot sustained serious injuries; the passenger was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Homestead, Florida, at 1000. According to the passenger, the pilot's wife, shortly after takeoff from Homestead Regional Dade County Airport, the engine lost power. The pilot selected a plowed field for an emergency landing. After making a safe landing, the pilot examined the engine and felt that he could attempt to takeoff again. The pilot stated that after takeoff he reduced flaps from two notches to one, and the airplane banked to the right. He applied left rudder and aileron to correct the bank, and then retarded the throttle. The airplane then entered a stall/ spin, and collided with the ground. The post-accident examination and functional check of the engine failed to disclose a mechanical problem. However, the examination of the fuel system revealed a significant amount of contamination in the main fuel filter, fuel drains, fuel pump, filter elements, and carburetor bowls. The fuel tanks also show signs of a varnish solution normally associated with stale automotive fuel. The pilot's wife reported that her husband refueled the airplane using a bucket, and he performed his own maintenance on the airplane. The pilot was not a Federal Aviation Administration Certified Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground (cause) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N823S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N823S-2001-06-04), registration cancelled 2001-06-04, S/N 01960685 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Jack McDaniel Rans S-12 - Registry model: [Mcdaniel Jack RANS S12](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdaniel-jack-rans-s12) (registry code 05603HV) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 01960685 - Airframe hours: 229 - Engines: Rotax 503 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Carl G. Smedal - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 2001, 229 hours before - Departed: HXP, Homestead, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 27, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 465 total, 225 in this make and model, 343 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: MIA, 25 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010210001369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010210001369A), Feb 10, 2001: Amtr RANSS12, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. (-23)[privacy data omitted] (.4)on February 10, 2001, at 1015 eastern standard time, a jack mcdaniel, rans S-12, N823S, collided with the ground while… ## Other investigations on N823S (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 ATL00LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA090), Sep 9, 2000: Jack McDaniel Rans S12XL (N823S), Homestead, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper flare during landing which collapsed the landing gear. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.