# NTSB CEN12LA318: Aeros Ltd/Skyranger Skyranger II, N192RR, Saline, MI, May 25, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 2012, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Saline, MI - Coordinates: 42.18222, -83.718887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1822&lon=-83.7189&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA -- East Michigan Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 83751 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA318 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83751/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83751 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA318 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain proper control of the airplane while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeros Ltd/Skyranger Aicraft SKYRANGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901EX), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Aeros Ltd/Skyranger Aicraft SKYRANGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05901EX), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Aeros Ltd/Skyranger Aicraft SKYRANGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05901EX), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeros Ltd/Skyranger Aicraft SKYRANGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901EX), [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: [Aeros Ltd/Skyranger Aicraft SKYRANGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901EX), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was maneuvering the airplane at a low altitude when the experimental light sport airplane stalled, resulting in an "extremely hard drop" and impact onto the landing gear. He noted that there was insufficient altitude available to recover from the aerodynamic stall. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that precipitated the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 2012, about 1145 eastern daylight time, an Aeros Skyranger II experimental light sport airplane, N192RR, impacted terrain near Saline, Michigan. The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from Ann Arbor Municipal Airport (ARB), Ann Arbor, Michigan about 1130. The pilot reported that he was maneuvering at low altitude when the airplane inadvertently stalled, resulting in an "extremely hard drop" and impact onto the landing gear. He noted that there was insufficient altitude available to recover from the aerodynamic stall. The flight conditions included uneven ground heating and updrafts, according to the pilot. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that precipitated the accident. A witness observed the airplane flying on a southwest course about 200 feet above ground level. The airplane turned to reverse course to the northeast and then entered a right turn, which was steeper than the preceding turn. The airplane did not recover from that turn and subsequently "fell" out of the sky. The accident site was located about 3 miles southeast of ARB in the backyard of a residence. The airplane came to rest upright; although, the landing gear had collapsed and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination conducted by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N192RR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N192RR-2018-01-03), registration cancelled 2018-01-03, S/N SKRB0503589, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROS LTD/SKYRANGER AIRCRAFT SKYRANGER II - Registry model: [Aeros Ltd/Skyranger Aicraft SKYRANGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeros-ltd-skyranger-aicraft-skyranger-ii) (registry code 05901EX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912S series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912s-series) (registry code 55570, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: SKRB0503589 - Airframe hours: 138 - Engines: ROTAX 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 21, 2011 - Departed: ARB, Ann Arbor, MI - Destination: ARB, Ann Arbor, MI - Airport: ARB, Ann Arbor Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review October 9, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 197 total, 138 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 13 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: ARB, 3 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 20120525008869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120525008869A), May 25, 2012: Aeros Ltd/Skyranger Aicraft Co SKYRANGER II, Saline, MI, Substantial damage. Witness stated that the aircraft was operating in the area at an altitude of approximately 200 ft. the aircraft flew south beyond the accident site and made a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83751. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 889 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374112&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 960 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-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.