# NTSB CEN11CA289: Rans S12, N3581S, Fort Collins, CO, April 9, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 9, 2011, 12:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Fort Collins, CO - Coordinates: 40.633888, -104.987777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6339&lon=-104.9878&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Denver FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78880 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78880/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78880 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA289 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent application of full right rudder during landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL AIRAILE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05903MW), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL AIRAILE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05903MW), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL AIRAILE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05903MW), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL AIRAILE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=05903MW), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL AIRAILE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05903MW), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL AIRAILE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05903MW), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting an off-airport precautionary landing due to an unanticipated gusting wind and turbulence. Just before touchdown the pilot made a sudden right turn to avoid a single-wire electric livestock fence when the right wing stalled and he lost control. The airplane then impacted terrain causing substantial damage to the fuselage frame, both wings, and the engine mount. The pilot stated that he had more experience in weight-shift control light sport airplanes and that the throttle in that type of aircraft was controlled with the right foot. He commented that during the sudden right turn he might have inadvertently applied full right rudder thinking that he was applying full throttle. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was executing an off-airport precautionary landing due to unanticipated gusty winds and turbulence. Just before touchdown the pilot made a sudden right turn to avoid a single wire electric livestock fence when "the right wing then suddenly stalled" and control was lost. The airplane impacted terrain causing substantial damage to the fuselage frame, both wings, and the engine mount, but remained upright. The pilot stated that he had more experience in weight shift control light sport airplanes and that the throttle in that type of aircraft was controlled with the right foot. He commented that during the sudden right turn he might have inadvertently applied full right rudder thinking that he was applying full throttle. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3581S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3581S-2017-07-06), registration cancelled 2017-07-06, S/N 10, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RANS S12 (XL) - Registry model: [Rans S-12XL AIRAILE](https://openairdocs.org/model/rans-s-12xl-airaile) (registry code 05903MW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10 - Airframe hours: 917 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 3, 2011 - Departed: CO53, Fort Collins, CO - Destination: CO53, Fort Collins, CO - Airport: CO53, Yankee Field Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review August 4, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 439 total, 134 in this make and model, 439 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.54 inHg - Observed at: KGXY, 20 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 20110409006519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110409006519A), Apr 9, 2011: Rans Co S-12XL AIRAILE, Ft. Collins, CO, Substantial damage. On April 9, 2011, at 12:00 MST, a Rans S-12XL airaile, N3581S, registered to yankeerans LLC, operated by pilot dave burton lundahl, certificate number [privacy… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78880. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349747&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Additional Statement received from the Pilot. (item 2, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Additional%20Statement%20received%20from%20the%20Pilot.-Redacted.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.