# NTSB CEN12LA254: Alvarez Marvin R Rans S-6S, N137AB, New Braunfels, TX, April 22, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 22, 2012, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: New Braunfels, TX - Coordinates: 29.704444, -98.042221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7044&lon=-98.0422&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 83469 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA254 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83469/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83469 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA254 ## Probable cause The non-certificated pilot's loss of airplane control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Alvarez Marvin R RANS S-6S COYOTE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05619T5), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Alvarez Marvin R RANS S-6S COYOTE II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=05619T5), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Alvarez Marvin R RANS S-6S COYOTE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05619T5), [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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Alvarez Marvin R RANS S-6S COYOTE II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05619T5), [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: [Alvarez Marvin R RANS S-6S COYOTE II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05619T5), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Although the non-certificated pilot said that there was no intention for flight and that he was going to make a high-speed taxi, tape recordings from the air traffic control tower revealed that the pilot called the tower and said he was ready to taxi; he did not request a high-speed taxi. The controller gave the pilot instructions to runway 17 and to hold short of runway 13; the pilot then reported that he was holding short of runway 13. The controller instructed him to cross runway 13, and cleared the airplane for takeoff on runway 17. The pilot did not acknowledge this clearance but proceeded down runway 17. The controller observed the airplane become airborne momentarily before impacting terrain. ## Factual narrative On April 22, 2012, about 1130 central daylight time, a Rans S-6S Coyote II, N137AB, impacted terrain during takeoff at New Braunfels Municipal Airport (KBAZ), New Braunfels, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originating, and was destined for Kitty Hawk Airport (K0T7), Allen, Texas. The pilot was issued a student pilot certificate in 2000. He applied for but was denied a medical certificate in 2007. The airplane did not have a current Certificate of Airworthiness. The pilot told a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that there was no intention for flight. However, according to an e-mail from the FAA inspector who listened to the KBAZ control tower tape recording, the pilot reported that he was ready to taxi. The controller gave him taxi instructions to (the active) runway 17, but was told to hold short of runway 13. The controller also gave the pilot the altimeter setting and wind information. Shortly thereafter, the pilot told the controller that he was holding short of runway 13. The controller instructed him to cross runway, 13 and that he was cleared for takeoff on runway 17. The pilot did not acknowedge this clearance. At no time did the pilot request a high speed taxi. The controller observed the airplane proceed down the runway, become airborne momentarily, then impact terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N137AB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N137AB-2014-11-18), registration cancelled 2014-11-18, S/N 09041605, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ALVAREZ MARVIN R RANS S-6S (COYOTE II) - Registry model: [Alvarez Marvin R RANS S-6S COYOTE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/alvarez-marvin-r-rans-s-6s-coyote-ii) (registry code 05619T5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 09041605 - Engines: ROTAX reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thomas E. Anderson - Registered owner: Thomas E. Anderson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: KBAZ, New Braunfels, TX - Destination: K0T7, Allen, TX - Airport: KBAZ, New Braunfels Municipal, runway 17, 5,364 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; seat: left - Student pilot; age 39; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 14 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20120422007769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120422007769A), Apr 22, 2012: Alvarez Marvin R RANS S-6S COYOTE II, New Braunfels, TX, Substantial damage. After holding short, aircraft N137AB was cleared for take off by ATC, rolled down runway about 415 ft before loss of control, vearing to the left of runway… ## Other investigations on N137AB (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 CEN13CA430](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA430), Jul 13, 2013: Alvarez Marvin R Rans S-6S (N137AB), Schertz, TX, destroyed. Probable cause: The noncertificated pilot's operation of the airplane, which resulted in impact with terrain. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 2, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83469. 2.3 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371560&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Record of Telephone Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374467&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation-Master.PDF - E-Mail from FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372681&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=E-Mail%20from%20FAA%20Inspector-Redacted.PDF - Airport Diagram (item 4, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371561&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Diagram-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.