# NTSB CHI92DEC02: Rans S-9, N5301A, Mason, MI, August 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1992, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Mason, MI
- Location: 42.5807° N, 84.4423° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mason, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5807&lon=-84.4423&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DEC02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15231/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DEC02

## 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

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: RANS S-9
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 587004
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 59; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920801028439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920801028439A), Aug 1, 1992: Amtr RANSS9, Mason, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. First flight in homebuilt. No check out. Pulled up steeply circling. Stalled and spun in.

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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