# NTSB CEN13CA430: Alvarez Marvin R Rans S-6S, N137AB, Schertz, TX, July 13, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 13, 2013, 08:50 local (13:50 UTC) - Place: Schertz, TX - Coordinates: 29.622222, -98.276107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6222&lon=-98.2761&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA San Antonio FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87549 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA430 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87549/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87549 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA430 ## Probable cause The noncertificated pilot's operation of the airplane, which resulted in impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); 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) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Alvarez Marvin R RANS S-6S COYOTE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05619T5), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Alvarez Marvin R RANS S-6S COYOTE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05619T5), [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: [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) - [Takeoff: 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) - [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Alvarez Marvin R RANS S-6S COYOTE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=05619T5), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Explosion (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/180); cases with it: [Alvarez Marvin R RANS S-6S COYOTE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/180/sequence.md?model=05619T5), [All aircraft, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/180/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Alvarez Marvin R RANS S-6S COYOTE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=05619T5), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had not held any kind of pilot certificate since his student pilot certificate expired about 40 years ago. He also reported that he had no record of receiving any flight instruction. During takeoff, after liftoff from the departure end of the runway, the airspeed was too slow and the airplane would not climb and would not accelerate. The airplane drifted to the left and impacted trees and terrain on the edge of the airfield property. After the pilot and passenger exited the airplane there was an explosion and the airplane was destroyed by the postimpact fire. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that has not held any kind of pilot certificate since his student pilot certificate expired about 40 years ago. He also reported that he has no record of receiving any flight instruction. During takeoff, after liftoff from the departure end of the runway, the airspeed was too slow and the airplane would not climb and would not accelerate. The airplane drifted to the left and impacted trees and terrain on the edge of the airfield property. After the pilot and passenger exited the airplane there was an explosion and the airplane was destroyed by the postimpact fire. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He also reported that he is really lucky to be alive after this accident and "this accident will do it for him ... he is going to stop flying now". ## 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 - 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 - Year built: 2006 - Engines: ROTAX 912 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: TS67, Schertz, TX - Destination: TS67, Schertz, TX - Airport: TS67, Kitty Hawk Flying Field, runway 14, 650 × 20 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; flight hours: 200 total, 200 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KRND, 5 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 20130713013939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130713013939A), Jul 13, 2013: Alvarez Marvin R RANS S-6S COYOTE II, Schertz, TX, Destroyed. The pilot-in-command was in the right seat, while the non-rated passenger/owner was in the left seat controlling the aircraft. During takeoff from runway 14… ## 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 CEN12LA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA254), Apr 22, 2012: Alvarez Marvin R Rans S-6S (N137AB), New Braunfels, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The non-certificated pilot's loss of airplane control during takeoff. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87549. 214 KB in all. - IIC's telephone conversation with the pilot. (item 1, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400335&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=IIC%27s%20telephone%20conversation%20with%20the%20pilot.-Master.PDF - Crewmember statement from pilot (item 2, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397565&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Crewmember%20statement%20from%20pilot-Redacted.PDF - Map (item 3, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397566&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map-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.