# NTSB CEN15LA169: Hoke Bobby F Rans S 12, N154BH, Rusk, TX, March 7, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 7, 2015, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Rusk, TX - Coordinates: 31.869167, -95.217224 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8692&lon=-95.2172&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report March 19, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA North Texas FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90863 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90863/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90863 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA169 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control while maneuvering for a forced landing, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Hoke Bobby F RANS S-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0563031), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hoke Bobby F RANS S-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=0563031), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hoke Bobby F RANS S-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0563031), [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. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Hoke Bobby F RANS S-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=0563031), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Hoke Bobby F RANS S-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0563031), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The passenger had purchased the experimental amateur-built airplane about 2 weeks before the accident flight and was conducting a familiarization flight with a private pilot. The pilot had about 11,000 hours of total flight time, with about 2 hours in the accident make and model. Witnesses reported that the airplane was conducting touch and go takeoffs and landings but that the engine did not sound normal. They subsequently saw the airplane maneuver toward a field before it stalled, collided with trees, and impacted the ground. There was evidence of fuel at the accident site, and inspection of the airframe and engine did not reveal any abnormalities. According to the carburetor icing probability chart, the airplane was operating in an environment conducive to light carburetor icing at cruise or descent power; it is unlikely that the loss of engine power was the result of carburetor ice accumulation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on available information. ## Factual narrative On March 7, 2015 about 1230 central standard time, a Rans S-12 homebuilt experimental airplane, N154BH, registered to a private individual, collided with trees and the ground while maneuvering to land after reported engine problems while in the landing pattern at the Cherokee County Airport (JSO), near Rusk, Texas. The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The local flight was being conducted under the provisions of Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area and a flight plan was not filed. According to the FAA, about 2 weeks prior to the accident, the passenger had purchased the ultralight aircraft. The purpose of the flight was to become familiar with the newly acquired aircraft. The PIC had about 11,000 hours of total flight time, with about 2 hours in the accident make and model. The PIC's most recent BFR was conducted on December 9. 2014. According to a written bill of sale, the passenger purchased the airplane on February 19, 2015. The aircraft's most recent conditional inspection was conducted on March 3, 2015. Witnesses reported that the ultralight aircraft was doing touch and go landings at JSO. They reported that the engine did not sound normal and observed the aircraft maneuver toward a field before it stalled, collided with trees and impacted the ground. The pilot and passenger were transported to the hospital after the accident. The FAA traveled to the accident scene and inspected the accident area and wreckage. There was evidence of fuel smell at the accident site. Inspection of the airframe and engine at the accident site did not reveal any abnormalities. The reported weather observation METAR at JSO about the time of the accident was: KJSO 071735Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN100 12/M05 A3048 RMK AO2 T01211051 According to the Icing Probability Chart, with a temperature of 12 degrees and dew point of 5 degrees, the aircraft engine was operating in an area conducive to light icing at cruise of descent power. The NTSB did not receive a NTSB form 6120, Pilot/Operator Report or statements from the pilot and passenger. It is unknown if the passenger/owner had flight experience. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N154BH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N154BH-2018-06-26), registration cancelled 2018-06-26, S/N 0195553, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HOKE BOBBY F RANS S 12 - Registry model: [Hoke Bobby F RANS S-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/hoke-bobby-f-rans-s-12) (registry code 0563031) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0195553 - Year built: 1995 - Airframe hours: 1406 - Engines: BOMBARDIER ROTAX (ALL) 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 3, 2015 - Departed: JSO, Rusk, TX - Destination: JSO, Rusk, TX - Airport: JSO, Cherokee County Airport - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 9, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 11,445 total, 2 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.51 inHg - Observed at: JSO, 1 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 20150307003909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150307003909A), Mar 7, 2015: Hoke Bobby F RANS S-12, Rusk, TX, Substantial damage. The PIC stated after fueling and preflighting the rans S-12, tail# N154BH, he and his passenger taxied to 14 at jso and warmed the engine up, made a mag run up… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 23, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90863. 2.2 MB in all. - Photo of the Accident Site and Main Wreckage (item 1, .PDF, 182 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453646&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20the%20Accident%20Site%20and%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Memorandum for the Record FAA Inspector Information and Witness Information (item 2, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453647&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20FAA%20Inspector%20Information%20and%20Witness%20Information-Master.PDF - Memorandum for the Record Weather Information and Carburetor Icing Probabilty (item 3, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453648&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Weather%20Information%20and%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Probabilty-Master.PDF - Errata for Docket Item 3 Memorandum for the Record Weather Information and Carburetor Icing Probability (item 4, .PDF, 390 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459427&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Errata%20for%20Docket%20Item%203%20Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Weather%20Information%20and%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability-Master.PDF - Carburetor Icing Probability Chart (item 5, .PDF, 260 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453649&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Chart-Master.PDF - Weather Information (item 6, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453650&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-Master.PDF - Pilot BFR Information (item 7, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453652&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20BFR%20Information-Master.PDF - Aircraft Bill of Sale Information (item 8, .PDF, 685 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453653&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Bill%20of%20Sale%20Information-Master.PDF - Aircraft Conditional Inspection Information (item 9, .PDF, 389 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453654&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Conditional%20Inspection%20Information-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.