# NTSB CHI92DCA05: Rettberg Rans S-7, N199KR, Charleston, MO, September 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1992, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, MO
- Coordinates: 36.910099, -89.330085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9101&lon=-89.3301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15204
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DCA05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15204/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DCA05

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S POOR WEATHER EVALUATION WHICH RESULTED IN A TAKEOFF INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND A LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD MADE SEVERAL STOP AND GO TAKEOFF AND LANDINGS AT THE PRIVATE GRASS STRIP. DURING TAKEOFF TO THE SOUTH, AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 100 FT, THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE STARTED AN UNCONTROLLABLE DESCENT, STRIKING THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. HE STATED THAT THE CONTROLS WERE NOT EFFECTIVE DURING THE DESCENT. THE FLIGHT CONTROLS WERE EXAMINED, AND CONTINUITY WAS CONFIRMED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A SQUALL LINE WAS APPROACHING FROM THE WEST, AND BELIEVED IT WAS FAR ENOUGH AWAY TO NOT BE A PROBLEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N199KR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N199KR), registered now, S/N 1088032 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RETTBERG RANS S-7
- Registry model: [Rettberg George K RANS S-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/rettberg-george-k-rans-s-7) (registry code 05616DY) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1088032
- Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Oliver Kirkpatrick
- Registered owner: Oliver Kirkpatrick
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 1, 1992, 4 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Plumlee Field, runway 18, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 400 total, 1 in this make and model, 325 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft unknown
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGI, 25 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 19920918037549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920918037549A), Sep 18, 1992: Amtr RANSS9, Charleston, MO, Substantial damage. Took off with a squall line approaching. Hit windshear. Stalled. Dropped to ground nose first. Flipped inverted.

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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