# NTSB CHI97LA287: Higgens Rans S-12 XL, N7304Q, Tuscola, IL, September 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 1997, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Tuscola, IL - Coordinates: 39.790718, -88.28099 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7907&lon=-88.2810&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10697 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA287 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10697/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA287 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot said that he and the passenger were maneuvering in the vicinity of the passenger's house. He said, 'At a cruise speed of 60 miles per hour and 6,000 rpm, at 500 feet above ground level (agl) and a heading of 300-degrees, we entered a shallow right turn around the west side of the house. After passing the north side and heading down the east side of the house (heading approximately 150 to 180-degrees), we started to lose altitude.' The pilot lowered the nose and added full power. He then raised the nose to a level flight attitude, but the airplane continued to descend. 'At this point, impact with the ground was imminent.' Examination of the airplane revealed no anomaly. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 1997, at 1030 central daylight time (cdt), a Higgens Rans S-12 XL, N7304Q, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when while maneuvering, it departed controlled flight and impacted the terrain five miles north of Tuscola, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. There was no flight plan on file. The pilot reported minor injuries. The passenger on board suffered serious injuries. The local flight originated at Tuscola, Illinois, at 1020 cdt. In his written statement, the pilot said that he and the passenger were maneuvering in the vicinity of the passenger's house. "At a cruise speed of 60 miles per hour and 6,000 rpm, at 500 feet above ground level (agl) and a heading of 300-degrees, we entered a shallow right turn around the west side of the house. After passing the north side and heading down the east side of the house (heading approximately 150 to 180-degrees), we started to lose altitude." The pilot lowered the nose and added full power. He then raised the nose to a level flight attitude, but continued to descend. "At this point, impact with the ground was imminent." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane observed upward crush damage to the cockpit floor and frame. Both wings were separated at the wing roots. Both wings showed upward bending and heavy skin wrinkling. The boom fuselage was twisted to the right approximately 15-degrees. A 10-inch long gash was observed in the center fuselage metal running 45-degrees outward and aft of a rivet line. The forward vertical stabilizer showed heavy skin wrinkles. One of the three propeller blades was twisted forward and bent outward. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No anomalies were observed in the engine, engine controls, or other airplane systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7304Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7304Q-1999-04-12), registration cancelled 1999-04-12, S/N 07950626 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Higgens RANS S-12 XL (RANS S-12) - Registry model: [Higgins J R/Higgins B J RANS S-12 XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/higgins-j-r-higgins-b-j-rans-s-12-xl) (registry code 05602WM) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7950626 - Airframe hours: 47 - Engines: Rotax 503 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James R. & Brent J. Higgens - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 3, 1997, 22 hours before - Departed: K96 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 103 total, 45 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CMI, 16 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 19970906028279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970906028279A), Sep 6, 1997: Amtr RANSS12, Tuscola, IL, Destroyed. (.4) The pilot said that he and the passenger were maneuvering in the vicinity of the passenger's house. He said, 'at a cruise speed of 60 miles per hour and… 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.