# NTSB CEN24LA166: Rans S-6ES, N16148, Emporia, KS, April 24, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 24, 2024, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Emporia, KS - Coordinates: 38.332675, -96.191216 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3327&lon=-96.1912&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 194151 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA166 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194151/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194151 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA166 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control during the landing flare. ## 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: [Rans S-6ES, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901CD), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05901CD), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Rans S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901CD), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Rans S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05901CD), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane stalled while in the landing flare. He added power to attempt a go-around, but the airplane yawed to the left and the left wing dropped. The airplane nosed over into the grass, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16148](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N16148), registered now, S/N 11051714, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RANS S-6ES - Registry model: [Rans S-6ES](https://openairdocs.org/model/rans-s-6es) (registry code 05902KT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 11051714 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 492 - Engines: Rotax 912UL 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special); Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 3, 2023 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: EMP, Emporia, runway 19, 5,005 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review May 23, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 494 total, 50 in this make and model, 311 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KEMP - METAR: KEMP 242153Z AUTO 15005KT 10SM CLR 22/02 A3011 RMK AO2 SLP194 T02220022 ## 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 20240424005289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240424005289A), Apr 24, 2024: Rans S-6ES, Emporia, KS, Substantial damage. On 04/24/2024 at Emporia Municipal Airport (emp) in a Rans S-6ES conducting landing practice on runway 19 at approximately 17:30 local time. During the flare… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 18, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194151. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17203961&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 601 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17204326&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photo%20sheet-Rel.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.