# NTSB ATL04CA083: Dantzer Lawrence L Rans S-12, N910MB, Lowndesboro, AL, March 28, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 28, 2004, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Lowndesboro, AL
- Coordinates: 32.280834, -86.601943
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2808&lon=-86.6019&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Birmingham FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59047
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04CA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59047/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA083

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while manuevering which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. A factor was trees.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,parachute/drag chute - engaged
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The  homebuilt airplane collided with trees following a loss of control while maneuvering at 1000 feet. The pilot began a right turn and encountered a wind gust. The pilot stated that his airspeed was low and the airplane entered a stall and subsequently a spin. When efforts to regain control of the airplane failed, the pilot deployed the ballistic parachute system, and the airplane settled into a stand of trees. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On March 28, 2004, at 1115 central standard time, a Lawrence L Dantzer, Rans S-12 homebuilt airplane, N910MB, registered to and operated by the private pilot, collided with trees following a loss of control while maneuvering in Lowndesboro, Alabama. The flight was operated 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 local flight. The pilot received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from a private grass strip in Lowndesboro, Alabama on March 28, 2004, at 1100.

The  homebuilt airplane collided with trees following a loss of control while maneuvering at 1000 feet. The pilot began a right turn and encountered a wind gust. The pilot stated that his airspeed was low and the airplane entered a stall and subsequently a spin. When efforts to regain control of the airplane failed, the pilot deployed the ballistic parachute system, and the airplane settled into a stand of trees. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N910MB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N910MB-2007-05-02), registration cancelled 2007-05-02, S/N 1090024, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Dantzer Lawrence L Rans S-12
- Registry model: [Dantzer Lawrence L RANS S-12 AIRAILE](https://openairdocs.org/model/dantzer-lawrence-l-rans-s-12-airaile) (registry code 05618F1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1090024
- Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis G. Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PVT, Lowndesboro, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 33 total, 5 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observed at: MGM, 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 20040328005489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040328005489A), Mar 28, 2004: Amtr RANSS12, Lowndsboro, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he took off from webumpks (09A) for a pleasure flight. He flew to his residence at one thousand feet and when he turned to return to…

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.

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