# NTSB CEN19LA047: Rans S12, N3165V, McClure, OH, December 16, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 2018, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: McClure, OH
- Coordinates: 41.371112, -83.942222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3711&lon=-83.9422&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 29, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; Cleveland FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 98794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98794/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98794
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA047

## Probable cause

The cold seizure of the cylinder/piston due to the pilot’s failure to adequately warm the engine before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of engine power during a departure climb.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=05901DF), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05901DF), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Rans S-12XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=05901DF), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05901DF), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-climb to cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05901DF), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05901DF), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05901DF), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901DF), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot warmed the engine to 120°F before taxiing to the runway for departure on a personal flight. While the airplane was climbing through 50 to 100 ft above ground level, the engine lost partial power. He ensured the throttle control was full forward and pumped the throttle control twice, but the engine speed continued to decrease. The pilot performed an off-airport landing on a field, during which the airplane stuck a power line pole and the right wing impacted the ground. After the accident, the pilot reported the engine had low cylinder compression and scoring on the piston and cylinder walls. There were also aluminum fragments within the cylinder. He said that the engine was overhauled about 1 year before his purchase of the airplane by the previous owner. He stated that he was "fairly certain" that the engine did not have any problems before the accident flight. He said the engine radiator was not covered for cold weather operation. He believed the piston failure was due to cold seizure. According to the Rotax 2-Stroke Maintenance Schedule, the engine had a minimum coolant temperature of 150°F. Given the available information, it is likely that the engine lost partial power due to a cold seizure of the cylinder/piston.

## Factual narrative

On December 16, 2018, at 1530 eastern standard time, a Rans Inc. S-12XL experimental light sport airplane, N3165V, experienced a partial loss of engine power during a departure climb from the pilot's private airstrip near McClure, Ohio. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a field about 100 ft north of departure end of the runway after the airplane was unable to maintain a positive climb rate. The private pilot and a passenger were uninjured and the airplane was substantially damaged on impact with terrain. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight that was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that after he performed a walk around inspection of the airplane and loaded the passenger and pushed the airplane outside. He started the airplane in front of hanger and allowed the engine to warm up to 120°F using an engine speed of 3,000 rpm. He taxied about 1,500 feet to the southern end of the north runway, where he performed an engine runup, checked both ignitions, and checked the flight controls. During the takeoff roll, the airplane lifted off the runway about 500 feet down the runway and climbed 50 - 100 ft above ground level at which point engine sound "backed off gradually." He ensured the throttle control was full forward and pumped the throttle control twice, but the engine speed continued to decrease. The pilot decided to perform an off-airport landing on a field which the airplane stuck a powerline pole and the right wing impacted the ground. Following the accident, the pilot reported the engine, Rotax 582, had low cylinder compression and scoring on the piston and cylinder walls. There were also aluminum fragments within the cylinder. He said that the engine was overhauled about one year prior to his purchase of the airplane by the previous owner. He was "fairly certain" that the engine did not have any problems before the accident flight. The pilot installed a heater that used the engine's cooling system, and on the following flight after the installation, there was a differential exhaust gas temperature between two cylinders, one was high in temperature and the other cylinder was low in temperature. He said that the engine runup after the installation was normal. The pilot stated a thermostat was installed on the coolant system and coolant was used for cabin heat. He said the engine radiator was not covered for cold weather operation. He felt the piston failure was due to cold seizure. According to the Rotax 2-Stroke Maintenance Schedule, the Rotax 582 engine had a minimum coolant temperature of 150°F. An Ultralight News article discussed cold seizures occurring in Rotax 532/582 engines by coolant having been cooling in the radiator, in winter in cold temperatures, which can mean that the temperature is down below 100°F. The engine on the other hand is under loadand is creating heat, the pistons are expanding. As the cold liquid enters the area around the cylinders, the cylinder shrink and this causes a cold seizure. The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation (FAA) Safety Inspector from the Cleveland Flight Standards District Office stated the pilot reported that an engine cylinder compression check was not performed when he purchased the airplane, and a cylinder compression check was not performed during the last condition inspection of the airplane. The engine was not examined by the FAA, and the engine manufacturer declined to attend an examination.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3165V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3165V), registered now, S/N 04284, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rans S12 (XL)
- Registry model: [Rans S-12XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/rans-s-12xl) (registry code 0590138) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ul) (registry code 55558, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 04284
- Year built: 2000
- Airframe hours: 115
- Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pilot
- Registered owner: Pilot
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, May 1, 2018
- Departed: PVT, MCCLURE, OH
- Destination: PVT, MCCLURE, OH
- Airport: PVT, Private, runway 36, 1,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 30, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 192 total, 30 in this make and model, 192 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: USE, 12 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 20181216022209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181216022209A), Dec 16, 2018: Rans Inc S-12XL, Mcclure, OH, Substantial damage. On takeoff and climbout, aircraft was not producing adequate power to continue flight. A decision was made to land straight ahead. Pilot descended to avoid…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 21, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98794. 9.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 8.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482818&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482819&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Record of Correspondence - FAA (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482820&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Correspondence%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Ultralight News (item 4, .PDF, 833 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482821&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ultralight%20News-Master.PDF
- Engine Maintenance Schedule (item 5, .PDF, 135 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482822&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Maintenance%20Schedule-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.

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