- Date
- August 1, 1992, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place
- Mason, MI
- Injuries
- 1 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N5301ARans S-9
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report May 26, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19920801028439A
- Case key
- 15231
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's over-confidence in his personal ability, his lack of experience in the type airplane he was flying, and the fact the pilot did not maintain a proper airspeed.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The homebuilt airplane was observed performing a low pass to the runway. At the conclusion of the low pass, the airplane began a climbing left turn. As the airplane gained altitude it began to slow down according to witnesses. At an estimated altitude of 300 to 400 feet above the ground the airplane rolled to the right, performing a half turn spin before colliding with the ground. The on scene investigation revealed no mechanical discrepancies with the airframe or power plant. The airplane's engine rotated opposite the normal U.S. Certified airplane engines. During the investigation it was revealed the pilot did not have experience in the airplane. An eye witness stated he had spoken with the pilot before the accident flight and advised him to obtain some dual instruction before flying the airplane solo; or at least do some touch and go's before going anywhere in the airplane. The pilot's logbook revealed he had no time logged in the make and model airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5301A
- Reported as
- Rans S-9
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 587004
- Engine
- Rotax 503, 47 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Dwain R. Chatterton
- Registered owner
- Zarichny, George
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Unknown · January 2, 1900
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 59
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 708 total · 708 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 12 statute miles
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.