# NTSB CHI07CA225: Ryan ST3KR, N59220, Coldwater, MI, July 22, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 22, 2007, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Coldwater, MI - Coordinates: 41.933612, -85.052497 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9336&lon=-85.0525&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-South Bend FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66551 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66551/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA225 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush condition. A contributing factor was the low altitude at the time of the inadvertent stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane impacted terrain after takeoff from runway 16 (2,400 feet by 190 feet, turf). The pilot reported that they had stopped at the accident airport for fuel. At the time of their initial approach and landing winds aloft were from the east; however, surface winds were from the west. They subsequently landed on runway 25 (5,350 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) without incident. The pilot stated that after fueling surface winds had reversed direction. They were now from the east at 8 to 10 knots. He elected to use runway 16 for takeoff because he felt the airplane "handled better on grass." The pilot reported that when the airplane lifted off, it "felt light" and "loose controlled" so he lowered the nose in order to gain airspeed. He noted feeling a "slight bump or lift followed by a rapid drop of [the] left wing and nose." The airplane subsequently impacted the ground. Examination of the flight control system did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a pre-impact failure. Winds recorded by the departure airport Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) within 5 minutes of the accident were from 140 degrees at 4 knots. ## Factual narrative The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after takeoff. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The pilot reported that they had stopped at the accident airport for fuel. At the time of their initial approach and landing winds aloft were from the east, however surface winds were from the west. They subsequently landed on runway 25 (5,350 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) without incident. The pilot stated that after fueling surface winds had reversed direction. They were now from the east at 8 to 10 knots. He elected to use runway 16 (2,400 feet by 190 feet, turf) for takeoff because he felt the airplane "handled better on grass." The pilot reported that when the airplane lifted off, it "felt light" and "loose controlled" so he lowered the nose in order to gain airspeed. He noted feeling a "slight bump or lift followed by a rapid drop of [the] left wing and nose." The airplane subsequently impacted the ground. Examination of the flight control system did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a pre-impact failure. Winds recorded by the departure airport Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) within 5 minutes of the accident were from 140 degrees at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: N59220 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Ryan ST3KR - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2058 - Airframe hours: 2533 - Engines: Kinner R-56 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2007 - Departed: OEB, Coldwater, MI - Airport: OEB, Branch County, runway 16, 2,400 × 190 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,333 total, 217 in this make and model, 2,050 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: OEB ## 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 20070722020109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070722020109A), Jul 22, 2007: Ryan ST3KR, Coldwater, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot and passenger were on a west bound cross country flight, they landed at Branch County Memorial Airport (koeb) for fuel. The winds aloft were… 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.