# NTSB DEN00LA006: Kendall/Mckaughlin Rans S-10 Sakota, N444YB, Hudson, CO, October 9, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 9, 1999, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Hudson, CO - Coordinates: 40.070049, -104.640487 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0700&lon=-104.6405&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47564 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47564/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA006 ## Probable cause Inadequate preflight planning when the pilot failed to evaluate aircraft performance and weather. Factors were high density altitude, and unsuitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - high density altitude - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command - performance data - not complied with, pilot in command - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis Following initial takeoff, the aircraft could not climb out from the surrounding terrain and settled into the terrain. Density altitude at the time was 7,000 feet above mean sea level. ## Factual narrative On October 9, 1999, at 1100 mountain daylight time, a Kendall/McKaughlin Rans S-10 Sakota, N444YB, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during initial climb following takeoff from a private airstrip 5 miles east of Hudson, Colorado. The private pilot occupant was not injured. The flight was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The planned destination was Jefferson County Airport, Broomfield, Colorado. According to the pilot, he initiated several turns following takeoff due to terrain that the aircraft could not climb to clear. The pilot said the aircraft settled in a level attitude and struck soft terrain that caused the struts to penetrate the wings. Density altitude at the time was approximately 7,000 feet above mean sea level. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N444YB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N444YB), registered now, S/N 1JB, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KENDALL/MCKAUGHLIN RANS S-10 SAKOTA (RANS S-10) - Registry model: [Kendall W R/Mclaughlin J RANS S-10 SAKOTA](https://openairdocs.org/model/kendall-w-r-mclaughlin-j-rans-s-10-sakota) (registry code 05622CS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: IJB - Airframe hours: 223 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert Mason - Registered owner: Jim Maclaughlin - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1999, 7 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 831 total, 114 in this make and model, 697 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 28 °F - Observed at: DEN, 15 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 19991009044949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991009044949A), Oct 9, 1999: Amtr RANSS10, Hudson, CO, No damage. (-23) The instrument rated private pilot of a amateur built a/c was taking off from a private paved field near Hudson, Colorado and encountered a possible loss… ## Other investigations on N444YB (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA11CA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA339), Jun 12, 2011: Kendall W R/Mclaughlin J Rans S-10 Sakota (N444YB), Bennettsville, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight familiarization of the airstrip. 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.