# NTSB ATL06LA121: Kirkpatrick Rans S-6, N227AL, Roseboro, NC, August 17, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 2006, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Roseboro, NC
- Coordinates: 34.970001, -78.360275
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9700&lon=-78.3603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Greensboro FSDO-05
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64336/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06LA121

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain ground clearance while maneuvering for a forced landing following loss of engine power.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - ignition system,distributor - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that approximately 10 minutes into his flight, while cruising at 900 feet, the engine "backfired" and lost power. The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, and he chose to make a forced landing in a field. During the approach to land, he realized that he could not make it to field, and he made a sharp right turn to attempt to land at another field. The right wing impacted the ground and the airplane spun around horizontally. The airplane was equipped with a Subaru E-81, 80hp automotive engine. The owner of the airplane and a local mechanic examined the engine; and observed that the distributor was free to move. There were marks on the distributor base 1/8 to 3/16 inches long. The pilot stated that there was enough movement to cause the engine to "backfire and subsequent engine failure."

## Factual narrative

On August 17, 2006, at 1015 eastern daylight time, a experimental Rans S-6, N227AL, registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, lost engine power during cruise flight and made a forced landing in a field near Roseboro, North Carolina. The airplane received substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from a private strip in Roseboro on August 17, 2006, at 1000.

The pilot stated that he was flying his airplane over to the next county to receive an annual conditional inspection. Approximately 10 minutes into the flight, while cruising at 900 feet, the engine "backfired and quit". The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, and he chose to make a forced landing in a field. During the approach to land, he realized that he could not make it to field, and he made a sharp right turn to attempt to land at another field. The right wing impacted the ground and the airplane spun around horizontally.

The airplane was equipped with a Subaru E-81, 80hp automotive engine. The owner of the airplane and a local mechanic examined the engine; and observed that the distributor was free to move. There were marks on the distributor base 1/8 to 3/16 inches long. The pilot stated that this was enough movement to cause the engine to "backfire and subsequent engine failure."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N227AL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N227AL-2008-07-30), registration cancelled 2008-07-30, S/N 792334, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Kirkpatrick Rans S-6
- Registry model: [Kirkpatrick L/Kirkpatrick A RANS S-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/kirkpatrick-l-kirkpatrick-a-rans-s-6) (registry code 056226T) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 792334
- Airframe hours: 235
- Engines: Subaru E-81 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Francis Patterson
- Registered owner: John F Patterson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, April 1, 2005, 35 hours before
- Departed: Roseboro, NC
- Destination: Linden, NC
- Airport: CTZ, Sampson County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2006; seat: right; flight hours: 5,500 total, 144 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KCTZ, 5 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 20060817031009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060817031009A), Aug 17, 2006: Amtr RANSS6, Autryville, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was enroute from roseboro, NC to linden, NC at approx. 900 ft. altitude when the engine "backfired" and the prop stopped. Restart was attempted…

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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