# NTSB BFO92LA089: Madsen Rans S-12, N43364, Saluda, VA, June 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1992, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Saluda, VA
- Coordinates: 37.599678, -76.590538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5997&lon=-76.5905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11811/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA089

## Probable cause

WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL, AND AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE CIRCLING TO PHOTOGRAPH A LIGHTHOUSE, WHILE OVERWATER AT 100 FEET AGL, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN WATER, WHERE THE OCCUPANTS WERE RESCUED BY PERSONNEL ON A NEARBY BOAT. THE AIRCRAFT REMAINED AFLOAT UNTIL IT WAS RECOVERED.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED WATER CONTAMINATED FUEL IN THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL TANKS.  SEVEN GALLONS OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE TANKS, WHICH INCLUDED ABOUT 20 OUNCES OF WATER.  THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP DID NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH THE WATER, WHILE THE AIRPLANE WAS AFLOAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43364](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43364-2018-03-22), registration cancelled 2018-03-22, S/N 1191148, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MADSEN RANS S-12
- Registry model: [Madsen Ronald F RANS S-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/madsen-ronald-f-rans-s-12) (registry code 05618HK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1191148
- Airframe hours: 41
- Engines: ROTAX 582-B 66 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald F. Madsen
- Registered owner: Ronald F. Madsen
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 5, 1992, 41 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 41 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F

## 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 19920628021949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920628021949A), Jun 28, 1992: Amtr RANSS12, Saluda, VA, Substantial damage. Engine quit circling low over water, ditched. Found water in fuel.

## Other investigations on N43364 (1)

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.

- [NTSB BFO96LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO96LA006), Oct 7, 1995: Madsen/Rans Rans S12 Airaile (N43364), Cobbs Creek, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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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