ATL06LA048

NTSB accident investigation · Joel H Johnson Rans S-6ES Coyote II · Cartersville, GA · March 5, 2006

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
March 5, 2006, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
Place
Cartersville, GA
Injuries
1 minor, 1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Enroute
Aircraft
N5196WJoel H Johnson Rans S-6ES Coyote II
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report July 31, 2006
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
FSDO 11 College Park
FAA report
20060305002849A
Case key
63333

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an forced landing, on ground collision with a ditch, and nose over.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerClimb
Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause
Forced landingEmergency descent/landing
On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterEmergency landing
Terrain condition - ditch
Nose overLanding - roll

Analysis

The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were practicing takeoff training, pattern work, and approach to landing instruction. The CFI stated that after making a "touch and go", the engine began to "sputter" and was losing power. The airplane was 300 to 400 feet above the ground and about two thirds down runway-01.The CFI took control of the airplane and leveled it out in hopes that the engine would regain power. The engine stopped and the CFI made a forced landing in a field adjacent to the airport. The airplane collided with a ditch on touchdown and nosed over. The registered owner of the airplane stated, "The engine assembly was removed from the airframe and examined. The top spark plugs were removed. The electrodes were normal as depicted in the Rotax Maintenance Manual, and the proper gap was set. The oil and fuel lines were not breached. A visual fuel sample was taken and no contaminants were noted. The fuel system was intact and full of fuel. The in-line fuel filters were free of contaminants. The carburetors were inspected and no contaminants were noted. The electrical system was examined. A functional check of the electrical coils and lighting coils was completed. No anomalies were noted. Manually turning the engine checked the gearbox. The rotary valves were functional and compression appeared normal with rotation of the engine by hand. The engine head was removed and no damage was noted to the pistons, sleeves or rings. No determination was made pertaining to the loss of engine power."

Factual narrative

On March 5, 2006, at 1645 eastern standard time, an experimental Rans S-6ES Coyote II, N5196W, registered to and operated by a private owner, as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, lost engine power, made a forced landing, and nosed over inverted two miles north of Cartersville Airport, Cartersville, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot/ flight instructor (CFI) reported minor injuries, and the student pilot was not injured. The flight was originating from Cartersville Airport at the time of the accident.

The CFI and student pilot were practicing take off training, pattern work, and approach to landing instruction. The CFI stated that after making a "touch and go", the engine began to "sputter" and was losing power. The airplane was 300 to 400 feet above the ground and about two thirds down runway-01.The CFI took control of the airplane and leveled it out in hopes that the engine would regain power. The engine stopped and the CFI made a forced landing in a field adjacent to the airport. The airplane collided with a ditch on touch down and nosed over inverted.

The registered owner of the airplane stated, "The engine assembly was removed from the airframe and examined. The top spark plugs were removed. The electrodes were normal as depicted in the Rotax Maintenance Manual, and the proper gap was set. The oil and fuel lines were not breached. A visual fuel sample was taken and no contaminants were noted. The fuel system was intact and full of fuel. The three in line fuel filters were free of contaminants. The carburetors were inspected and no contaminants were noted. The electrical system was examined. A functional check of the electrical coils and lighting coils was completed. No anomalies were noted. Manually turning the engine checked the gearbox. The rotary valves were functional and compression appeared normal with rotation of the engine by hand. The engine head was removed and no damage was noted to the pistons, sleeves or rings. No determination was made pertaining to the loss of engine power."

Aircraft

Registration
N5196W
Reported as
Joel H Johnson Rans S-6ES Coyote II
Category
Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number
0492295
Airframe hours
218
Engine
Rotax 582, 65 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Registered owner
Dan Medlin
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Last inspection
Annual · February 1, 2006
Departed
VPC · Cartersville, GA
Destination
VPC · Cartersville, GA
Airport
VPC · Cartersville

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Flight instructor
Age
74
Injuries
Minor
Certificates
Flight instructor, Private, Sport Pilot
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
March 1, 2005
Seat
Right
Flight hours
2,400 total · 46 in this make and model · 2,300 as pilot in command · 28 in the last 90 days · 11 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Role
Student pilot
Injuries
None
Seat
Left

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Calm
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
66 °F, dew point 27 °F
Altimeter
30.15 inHg
Observed at
KVPC

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Other investigations on N5196W · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.