# NTSB CEN11CA470: Rans S7, N377JG, Cubero, NM, July 10, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 10, 2011, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Cubero, NM - Coordinates: 35.359722, -107.234443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3597&lon=-107.2344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Albuquerque FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81079 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA470 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81079/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81079 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA470 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain rotation speed prior to takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was taking off from a remote, dirt airstrip with a slight tailwind. He said that he rotated before reaching rotation speed and lost control shortly after lift off. The airplane descended, struck a fence,nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the wing spar and wing strut. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was taking off from the remote dirt airstrip with a slight downhill slope and a slight tail wind. The pilot stated that he rotated too soon and the airspeed was too slow. He lost control immediately after liftoff and the airplane struck a fence, flipped inverted and struck terrain. There was substantial damage to the wing spar and wing strut. The pilot reported that there was no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: N377JG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: RANS S7 (UNDESIGNAT) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0206428 - Airframe hours: 384 - Engines: ROTAX 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 10, 2011 - Departed: NONE, Cubero, NM - Destination: AEG, Albuquerque, NM - Airport: NONE, L Bar Ranch Airstrip, runway 18, 4,200 × 100 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review October 11, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 792 total, 89 in this make and model, 792 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KAEG, 25 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 20110710025139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110710025139A), Jul 10, 2011: Rans Inc S-7LS, Laguna, NM, Substantial damage. The aircraft N377JG attempted departure heading southeast, from l bar ranch private airstrip to kaeg. Aircraft ascended to approximately 4' and failed to gain… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81079. 386 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 175 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352751&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Telephone Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352755&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Map (item 3, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352752&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map-Master.PDF - Weather Summary (item 4, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352753&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Summary-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.