# NTSB CEN11CA590: Rans Designs S-7LS, N544RS, Joplin, MO, August 21, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 21, 2011, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Joplin, MO - Coordinates: 37.151668, -94.498054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1517&lon=-94.4981&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81580 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA590 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81580/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81580 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA590 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans Designs S-7LS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=0600057), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans Designs S-7LS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600057), [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. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Rans Designs S-7LS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0600057), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rans Designs S-7LS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0600057), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the landing, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right of runway centerline. The pilot applied rudder and aileron inputs to counter the unexpected wind. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped and came to rest upright on the runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the right wing spar was bent. No airframe or engine anomalies were reported by the pilot. The wind conditions at the airport were light and variable at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during the landing, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right of runway centerline. The pilot applied rudder and aileron inputs to counter the unexpected wind. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped and came to rest upright on the runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the right wing spar was bent. No airframe or engine anomalies were reported by the pilot. The wind conditions at the airport were light and variable at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N544RS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N544RS), registered now, S/N 0907482, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RANS DESIGNS INC S-7LS - Registry model: [Rans Designs S-7LS](https://openairdocs.org/model/rans-designs-s-7ls) (registry code 059035T) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0907482 - Airframe hours: 496 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2011 - Departed: JLN, Joplin, MO - Destination: JLN, Joplin, MO - Airport: JLN, Joplin Regional Airport, runway 13, 6,502 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 10, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 97 total, 20 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: JLN ## 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 20110821020749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110821020749A), Aug 21, 2011: Rans Designs Inc S-7LS, Joplin, MO, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted a 3-point landing on rwy 13 at kjln (dry, level, paved surface). Last reported wind (at 2053Z, or 21 min prior) was from 020 degrees at 4 KTS,… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 13, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81580. 354 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 354 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353623&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.