# NTSB CHI97LA128: Rochette Rans S-12 XL, N102EY, Hays, KS, March 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 1997, 18:30 local (Mar 27, 1997, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Hays, KS - Coordinates: 38.870334, -99.310958 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8703&lon=-99.3110&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10562 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10562/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA128 ## Probable cause the pilot improperly flared the airplane and the pilot's lack of experience in the type of airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis The pilot/owner of the experimental airplane reported that he had recently completed building the airplane. The pilot had three hours of flight time in the airplane. The pilot/owner reported that he was practicing a no-flap landing. He crossed the runway threshhold at 55 miles per hour, but with a 'fast sink rate.' He added power and flared, but landed hard. The airplane skidded off the runway and hit a runway sign. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 1997, at 1830 central standard time, an experimental Rochette Rans S-12 XL, N102EY, sustained substantial damage when it landed hard and hit a runway marker sign after it veered off the runway. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed Hays Municipal Airport, Hays, Kansas, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot/owner of the experimental airplane reported that he had recently completed building the airplane. He reported that he a total of three hours of flight time in the airplane. He reported that he had registered the aircraft with the Federal Aviation Administration but had not attached the "N" number to the aircraft yet. The pilot/owner reported that he was receiving a check ride from a instructor pilot who was familiar with the Rans S-12XL. However, when the passenger was questioned whether he had acted as an instructor pilot, he reported that he was not giving instruction in the aircraft, but was only a passenger. He reported that the pilot was an experienced private pilot and that he was not giving him any instruction. The pilot/owner reported that he was practicing a no flap landing. He crossed the runway threshold at 55 miles per hour, but with a "fast sink rate." He added power and flared, but landed hard. The airplane skidded off the runway and hit a runway sign. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N102EY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N102EY), registered now, S/N 05960728, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROCHETTE RANS S-12 XL (RANS S-12) - Registry model: [Rochette Marc A RANS S12XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/rochette-marc-a-rans-s12xl) (registry code 05604MJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 05960728 - Airframe hours: 3 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Marc A. Rochette - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1997, 3 hours before - Departed: HYS - Airport: HYS, Hays Municipal, runway 16, 6,301 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 750 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F - 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 19970326013969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970326013969A), Mar 26, 1997: Amtr RANSS12, Hays, KS, Substantial damage. Unskilled in homebuilt. Landed hard. Skidded off runway. Struck a sign. 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.