ATL95LA161

NTSB accident investigation · Ronsrans R 12 · Clanton, AL · August 19, 1995

Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
August 19, 1995, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC)
Place
Clanton, AL
Injuries
2 serious
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N800RKRonsrans R 12
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 1, 1996
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19950819025709A
Case key
3618

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

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Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain proper flying speed, and the improper mixture of the fuel.

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 power(partial) - nonmechanicalTakeoff - initial climb
Fluid,fuel - improperCause
Forced landingDescent - emergency
Loss of control - in flightDescent - uncontrolled
Airspeed - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Stall - inadvertentPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with objectDescent - uncontrolled
Object - fence

Analysis

The private pilot noticed that the engine was developing 100 RPM less than normal in the initial climb following liftoff. The pilot began to execute a forced landing and pulled back the throttle. He then gave the engine full power and stalled, resulting in a collision with a fence and the ground. A heavy coating of fuel and oil mixture was found on the spark plugs. The examination of the engine revealed that the carburetor was set excessively rich, and/or the fuel oil mixture was mixed incorrectly.

Factual narrative

On August 19, 1995, about 0820 central daylight time, a Ronsrans R 12, N800RK, collided with a fence and then the ground, during takeoff at Clanton, Alabama. The registered ultralight aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The private pilot and his passenger were seriously injured, and the ultralight was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The FAA inspector who visited the accident site reported that the pilot lost control during his departure and collided with the ground. According to the pilot, the engine was producing 100 RPM less than normal on takeoff, and he stated, "the plane didn't want to climb or takeoff." He decided to make a precautionary landing, selected a suitable location, and pulled back the throttle. The pilot realized that there was a fence below, and gave the engine full power, but the aircraft stalled and collided with the fence.

An examination of the ultralight revealed that the flight controls were connected and operable. The American Motor Works (AMW) engine did not run during the engine examination due to the impact damage, however, the compression check was satisfactory. The FAA inspector closely examined the spark plugs and he found a heavy coat of fuel and oil mixture on them. He also stated, "It appears the carburetor was set excessively rich, and or the fuel oil mixture had been mixed incorrectly."

Aircraft

Registration
N800RK
Reported as
Ronsrans R 12
Category
Ultralight, amateur-built
Serial number
79173
Airframe hours
163
Engine
AMW 540-1, 70 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Leon A. Hall
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Last inspection
Annual · April 7, 1994 · 40 hours before
Departed
NONE
Airport
NONE · Private Grass Strip

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
53
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
397 total · 40 in this make and model · 397 as pilot in command · 2 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Calm
Visibility
3 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
84 °F, dew point 75 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
MGM, 35 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.