# NTSB BFO96LA006: Madsen/Rans Rans S12 Airaile, N43364, Cobbs Creek, VA, October 7, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 7, 1995, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Cobbs Creek, VA - Coordinates: 37.499385, -76.389297 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4994&lon=-76.3893&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9102 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO96LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9102/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO96LA006 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the ultralight airplane's performance appeared normal during the ground roll, liftoff and initial climb. When the airplane was approximately 130 above the ground, the engine suddenly stopped. The pilot lowered the nose of the airplane to attain the best glide speed, and made a forced landing in a field. The airplane struck a tree approximately 40 feet above ground level. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctionomaly; however, the spark plug electrodes had a dried deposit on them. The spark plugs were cleaned and reinstalled, and the engine was satisfactorily test run. ## Factual narrative On October 7, 1995, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Madsen/Rans Rans S12 Airaile, a registered ultralight, N43364, collided with a tree after a loss of engine power during takeoff from Hudgins Airpark, in Cobbs Creek, Virginia. The pilot and the passenger received minor injuries and the ultralight received substantial damage. No flight plan had been filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that during the takeoff ground roll, he checked the tachometer to verify that the engine was at maximum power. He also stated that the ultralight lifted off after travelling about 800 feet down the runway. He stated that after lift off, he set up a five hundred foot per minute rate of climb, but at approximately one hundred and thirty feet above the ground the engine suddenly stopped. The pilot stated that he immediately pushed the control stick forward to maintain an optimal gliding speed. The pilot reported that he attempted to glide to a field to his right and "...adjusted [the] position of the aircraft for the longest landing distance." The airplane's left wing struck a tree approximately forty feet above the ground. Postaccident examination of the engine and it's systems included an engine test run. The first attempt to start the engine was unsuccessful. Inspection of the spark plugs found a dried deposit on the electrodes. The electrodes were cleaned and the spark plugs were reinstalled in the engine. The second attempt to start the engine was successful, and the engine ran at full power for a duration of thirty minutes. At the end of the engine run, the engine was shut off by turning the fuel valve to the closed position. It took approximately twenty seven seconds for the engine to quit. Further examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction or fuel system anomaly. Review of the Rotax 582 B engine operator's manual revealed a warning to operators. The manual stated: "Danger! This engine, by its design, is subject to sudden stoppage!" It further stated that "...this engine is not a certified aircraft engine...[it] conforms to no aircraft standards." ## 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 RANS S12 AIRAILE (RANS S12 A) - 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: Ultralight, amateur-built - Serial number: 1191148 - Airframe hours: 83 - Engines: ROTAX 582 B 66 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald Madsen - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: VA90 - Destination: AMERICA, VA - Airport: VA90, Hudgins Farm, runway 18, 1,600 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 236 total, 84 in this make and model, 236 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RIC, 43 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 19951007036119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951007036119A), Oct 7, 1995: Amtr RANSS12, Cobbs Creek, VA, Substantial damage. Engine stopped on climbout. Struck tree landing in a field. Spark plugs fouled by dry deposit. Cleaned engine ran. ## 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 BFO92LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA089), Jun 28, 1992: Madsen Rans S-12 (N43364), Saluda, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL, AND AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT. 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.