# NTSB ATL95LA161: Ronsrans R 12, N800RK, Clanton, AL, August 19, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 1995, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC) - Place: Clanton, AL - Coordinates: 32.83908, -86.619796 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8391&lon=-86.6198&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3618 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3618/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA161 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain proper flying speed, and the improper mixture of the fuel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - improper (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - 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 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: RONSRANS R 12 - Category: Ultralight, amateur-built - Serial number: 79173 - Airframe hours: 163 - Engines: 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. - Pilot; age 53; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950819025709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950819025709A), Aug 19, 1995: Amtr RANSS12, Clanton, AL, Substantial damage. Unable full RPM on takeoff. Elected land off runway. Struck a fence. Carb mixture set too rich. 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.