# NTSB BFO92LA106: Haas Rans S-6, N116LP, Nokesville, VA, July 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1992, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Nokesville, VA
- Location: 38.6930° N, 77.5764° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nokesville, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6930&lon=-77.5764&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11823/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA106

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING OR DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS AFTER INADVERTENTLY BECOMING AIRBORNE.  THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER CONSTRUCTION OF A HOME BUILT RANS S 6 WAS COMPLETED, THE PILOT (OWNER, BUILDER) ELECTED TO PRACTICE TAXIING AROUND THE 1300 FT GRASS STRIP.  AFTER A SERIES OF TAXI TESTS, IN WHICH THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE AND WAS LANDED, HE ALLOWED HIS WIFE ABOARD, INTENDING ONLY TO TAXI THE PLANE. ACCORDING TO HIM, AS HE BECAME MORE COMFORTABLE IN THE AIRPLANE, HE INCREASED THE TAXI SPEED TO ABOUT 40 MPH, AND THE AIRPLANE INADVERTENTLY LIFTED OFF.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH AIRSTRIP TO STOP, SO HE ELECTED TO REMAIN AIRBORNE, CIRCLE THE FIELD, AND LAND.  HE CLEARED TREES AT THE END OF THE STRIP AND TURNED CROSSWIND AT ABOUT 75 FT AGL.  HE INDICATED HE TURNED DOWNWIND AT 70 MPH. ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE WAS AT FULL THROTTLE, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE.  THE PILOT NOTICED POWERLINES AHEAD AND PULLED UP WHILE USING FULL FLAPS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE HIT A TREE AT AN AIRSPEED OF ABOUT 40 MPH AND CRASHED. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION, BUT SAID THERE WAS TURBULENCE.  THE CALCULATED DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 2500 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N116LP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N116LP), registered now, S/N 0492287 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HAAS RANS S-6
- Registry model: [Haas William H RANS S-6 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/haas-william-h-rans-s-6-ii) (registry code 05620GQ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0492287
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: ROTAX 582 66 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William H. Haas
- Registered owner: William H. Haas
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 125 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °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 19920720026009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920720026009A), Jul 20, 1992: Amtr RANSS6, Manassas, VA, Substantial damage. Lost power, crashed in a field.

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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