# NTSB CHI03LA117: Smith Rans S-7, N272T, Baudette, MN, April 26, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 2003, 10:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Baudette, MN - Coordinates: 48.728332, -94.61222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7283&lon=-94.6122&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56924 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56924/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56924 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA117 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. A contributing factor was the low altitude maneuver by the student pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - low altitude flight/maneuver - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The amateur-built experimental airplane was destroyed on impact after it was observed maneuvering over a house at tree top level. The airplane was piloted by a student pilot whose medical certificate was expired. According to a witness, the airplane was very low. It was heading south and started to go up and turn toward the left. The turn was very sharp, the left wing dropped, and the airplane nose-dived into the ground. A post crash examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 2003, at 1050 central daylight time, an amateur-built experimental Smith Rans S-7 N272T, owned and piloted by a student pilot, was destroyed on impact with terrain about three miles east of Baudette, Minnesota, after the airplane was observed maneuvering over a house at tree top level. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time at the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The student pilot was fatally injured. The local flight originated from a private airstrip near Baudette, Minnesota, at an unknown time. According to a written statement given by a witness, the airplane was observed flying "very low." The witness stated she saw the airplane heading south and proceeded to "go up and turn toward the left." She stated, "the turn was very sharp and the left wing dropped and the plane nose-dived into the ground." She reported, "It [the airplane], fell very fast." The pilot, age 50, held a student certificate with an endorsement for the accident airplane. The pilot was issued a third class medical certificate on April 6, 2000 with the following restriction: "must wear lenses for distant - possess glasses for near vision." A total flight time of 52 hours was reported upon his airman medical certificate application. The accident airplane was an amateur-built Smith Rans S-7, serial number 0496184. The Rans S-7 is an experimental category high-wing airplane with a two-seat front and rear configuration; the airplane has fixed tail wheel landing gear. The Rans S-7 is powered by a Bombardier Rotax series engine. The accident airplane was issued an airworthiness certificate on July 17, 1998. and a registration certificate on December 10, 2002. The pilot was the registered owner of the airplane. The airplane was found resting on its left side with the nose section of the airplane in a ditch. The tail section was displaced toward the left, and was approximately 3 feet above the ground. The nose section was bent laterally to the right. The canopy of the airplane was destroyed. The main landing gear was separated from the airframe. Both wings were bent downward. The right wing tip was resting on the ground. The left wing was twisted downwards with its leading edge touching the ground. Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The Baudette, Minnesota, Automated Surface Observing System located approximately 3 miles west of the accident site, recorded at 1053: wind 120 degrees at 5 knots; 10 statute miles visibility; sky condition clear; temperature 12 degrees Celsius; dew point -1 degree Celsius; altimeter setting 29.83 inches of mercury. An autopsy of the pilot was not performed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N272T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N272T-2013-02-07), registration cancelled 2013-02-07, S/N 0496184, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Smith Rans S-7 - Registry model: [Smith Ken S RANS S-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-ken-s-rans-s-7) (registry code 05604IM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0496184 - Airframe hours: 324 - Engines: Bombardier Rotax Series reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Keith A. Palm - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 6, 2002 - Departed: BDE, BAUDETTE, MN - Destination: BDE, Baudette, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: fatal; student; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 52 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: BDE, 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 20030426007179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030426007179A), Apr 26, 2003: Amtr RANSS7, Baudette, MN, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. (-23) Former student pilot flying very low over relatives home, tree top level, entered very steep bank to the left and appears to have experienced an… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 26, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56924. 1.3 MB in all. - Witness Statements (item 1, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384259&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Minnesota Toxicology Report (item 2, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384260&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Minnesota%20Toxicology%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Accident Site (item 3, .PDF, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40208633&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Accident Site (item 4, .PDF, 201 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40208636&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Accident Site (item 5, .PDF, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40208637&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Accident Site (item 6, .PDF, 194 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40208640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Accident Site (item 7, .PDF, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40208643&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Photo 6. Accident Site (item 8, .PDF, 207 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40208645&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20%20Accident%20Site-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.