# NTSB CHI03LA195: Ruminski Ultra Pup, N124TR, Richmond, IN, July 5, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 2003, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Richmond, IN
- Coordinates: 39.820888, -84.880363 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8209&lon=-84.8804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Indianapolis FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA195

## Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain directional control and the airplane ground looped.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of certification, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged when it ground looped during landing.  The un-certificated pilot reported a left quartering headwind while attempting to land.  He stated that he had to "crab" into the wind.  According to the pilot, he was not square with the runway and touched down sideways and the airplane ground looped. The weather was reported as: wind variable at 3 knots.

## Factual narrative

On July 5, 2003, at 1550 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Ruminski Ultra Pup, N124TR, piloted by a non-certificated pilot sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during landing roll on runway 24 (5,500 feet by 150 feet, asphalt), at Richmond Municipal Airport (RID), Richmond, Indiana.  The flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries.  The local flight originated from Mettel Field Airport, Connersville, Indiana, at 1500.

According to the pilot, he arrived at Richmond Airport approximately 1530. The pilot reported setting up for landing on runway 24.  The pilot stated there was a left quartering headwind, and he "had to crab into the wind line to stay lined up on the runway."  He reported that as he flared he was not "square" with the runway and touched down "a little sideways."  The pilot stated, " The tail got ahead of my inputs and I ground looped the aircraft."

Butler County Regional Airport, located 28 nautical miles east of RID reported weather at 1453 eastern standard time as: wind variable at 3 knots; visibility 10 statute miles and clear.

The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N124TR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N124TR), registered now, S/N 0124, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ruminski Ultra Pup
- Registry model: [Ruminski Ted ULTRA PUP](https://openairdocs.org/model/ruminski-ted-ultra-pup) (registry code 0563047) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0124
- Airframe hours: 239
- Engines: T.E.C. 2180 70 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ted Ruminski
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 2003, 11 hours before
- Departed: CEV, CONNERSVILLE, IN
- Destination: RID, RICHMOND, IN
- Airport: RID, Richmond Municipal Airport, runway 24, 5,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: HAO, 28 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).

- [Incident 20030705019789I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030705019789I), Jul 5, 2003: Amtr ULTRAPUP, Richmond, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot initiated an approach to runway 24 at Richmond Municipal Airport with a quartering tailwind of approximately 8 knots. Immediately upon touchdown…

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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