# NTSB CEN09CA587: Tolbert Robert R Rans S-6, N410BT, Santa Rosa, NM, July 22, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 22, 2009, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Santa Rosa, NM - Coordinates: 34.935554, -104.642501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9356&lon=-104.6425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74741 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA587 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74741/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74741 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA587 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was taking off from a 4,294-foot-long runway for an initial takeoff. The sport pilot reported to the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector that the airplane stopped climbing and then nosed over and fell back to the runway. The airplane touched down in a nose-low attitude near the mid-field of the runway, breaking off the nose gear. The airplane rolled off the right side of the runway before nosing over and coming to rest in the inverted position. The airport was located at 4,292 feet mean sea level, with an estimated density altitude of 7,400 feet at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The airplane was taking off from a 4,294 foot long runway for an initial takeoff. The sport pilot reported to the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector that the airplane stopped climbing and then nosed over and fell back to the runway. The airplane touched down in a nose-low attitude, near the mid-field of the runway, breaking off the nose gear. The airplane rolled off the right side of the runway before nosing over and coming to rest in the inverted position. The airport was located at 4,292 feet mean sea level, with an estimated density altitude of 7,400 feet at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: N410BT (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: TOLBERT ROBERT R RANS S-6 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 01041544 - Engines: Jabiru 3300 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: KSXU, Santa Rosa, NM - Destination: KSXU, Santa Rosa, NM - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KSXU, Santa Rosa Route 66 Airport, runway 26, 4,294 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review January 26, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 450 total, 350 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 11 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KLVS, 50 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 20090722020009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090722020009A), Jul 22, 2009: Amtr RANSS6, Santa Rosa, NM, Substantial damage. On July 22, 2009 at 1230 MDT, N410BT, an amateur built rans S-6 piloted by a certificated sport pilot took off from runway 26 at Santa Rosa route 66 airport… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74741. 17 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320367&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.