# NTSB ATL02LA110: Kendall, Blair Rans S-12, N257BK, Lincolnton, GA, May 25, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 2002, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Lincolnton, GA - Coordinates: 33.793334, -82.478332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7933&lon=-82.4783&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54854 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54854/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54854 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA110 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the delamination of the propeller blade during takeoff, and the pilot's improper touchdown flare during the emergency landing resulted in a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - propeller system/accessories,blade - delamination (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - ground - landing gear - collapsed - landing gear - overload - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger participated in an ultra-light fly-in at a private airstrip in Lincolnton. After takeoff, the airplane had a loss of engine power and could not maintain altitude. The pilot stated he "could not get any lift" during takeoff. During the forced landing, the airplane landed hard resulting in the collapse of the landing gear. Examination of the airplane showed one of the carbon fiber propeller blades delaminated on the trailing edge. The carbon fiber layers separated at a point several inches outboard from the propeller hub. The engine firewall was buckled, and the front area of the cockpit was deformed. Both wings and the tail boom were damaged. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 2002, at 1500 eastern daylight time, a Blair Kendall, Rans S-12, N257BK, an experimental airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with the ground after takeoff near Lincolnton, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The flight departed Lincolnton, Georgia at 1458. The pilot and passenger participated in an ultra-light fly-in at a private airstrip in Lincolnton. After takeoff, the airplane had a loss of power and could not maintain altitude. The pilot stated he "could not get any lift" during takeoff. During the forced landing, the airplane landed hard resulting in the collapse of the landing gear. Examination of the airplane showed one of the carbon fiber propeller blades delaminated on the trailing edge. The carbon fiber layers separated at a point several inches outboard from the propeller hub. The engine firewall was buckled, and the front area of the cockpit was deformed. Both wings and the tail boom were damaged. During the post-accident examination of the propeller assembly, there were no visual cues of a previous propeller blade strike. According to the pilot, he and a friend were looking at the airplane after the accident and noticed that when pressure was applied to the propeller blade it would bend 4-5 inches from the hub area, and would spring back into place when pressure was removed. The pilot stated they could see the propeller blade "coming apart" near the middle. Examination of the FAA Aircraft Registry records, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, indicated the experimental amateur built airplane was issued an airworthiness certificate on October 22, 1999. The pilot stated that he did not have any airplane or propeller maintenance records. There were only 66 total hours on the airplane and propeller since the airplane was built. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N257BK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N257BK-2002-10-21), registration cancelled 2002-10-21, S/N 0493399, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kendall, Blair Rans S-12 - Registry model: [Kendall Blair RANS S-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/kendall-blair-rans-s-12) (registry code 056070A) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0493399 - Airframe hours: 66 - Engines: Bombardier ROTAX 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Blair C. Kendall - Departed: 3GE8, Lincolnton, GA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 3GE8, Prator Ranch Airport, runway 320, 3,200 × 140 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 29, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 125 total, 66 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: AGS, 38 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 20020525015049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020525015049A), May 25, 2002: Amtr RANSS12, Lincolnton, GA, No damage. (-23) After takeoff, aircraft lost power. Aircraft could not sustain altitude. During the forced landing, aircraft landed hard. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 8, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54854. 1.4 MB in all. - Memo Regarding Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40197941&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memo%20Regarding%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Prop delamination and separation of bonding layers (item 2, .PDF, 497 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40197942&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Prop%20delamination%20and%20separation%20of%20bonding%20layers-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Prop delamination and separation of bonding layers (item 3, .PDF, 879 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40197943&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Prop%20delamination%20and%20separation%20of%20bonding%20layers-Master.PDF 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.