# NTSB ERA09CA442: Rans S12, N43377, Quitman, GA, August 4, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 4, 2009, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Quitman, GA
- Coordinates: 30.805, -83.586669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8050&lon=-83.5867&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74452
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA442
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74452/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74452
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA442

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance on final approach.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Austin Howard RANS S-12XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05619AI), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Austin Howard RANS S-12XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05619AI), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Austin Howard RANS S-12XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05619AI), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was making an approach to landing in day visual meteorological conditions. On the final leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot descended too low and impacted trees prior to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Neither the pilot nor a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who examined the airplane after the accident, reported any preexisting malfunctions or mechanical anomalies. The nearest weather reporting facility, located approximately 16 nautical miles east of the accident location, reported calm winds, 10 statute miles visibility, and few clouds at 1,100 feet at the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was making an approach to landing in day visual meteorological conditions. On the final leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot descended too low and impacted trees prior to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Neither the pilot nor a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who examined the airplane after the accident, reported any preexisting malfunctions or mechanical anomalies. The nearest weather reporting facility, located approximately 16 nautical miles east of the accident location, reported calm winds, 10 statute miles visibility, and few clouds at 1,100 feet at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43377](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43377-2018-01-19), registration cancelled 2018-01-19, S/N 07040989, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RANS S12 (XL)
- Registry model: [Austin Howard RANS S-12XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/austin-howard-rans-s-12xl) (registry code 05619AI) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 07040989
- Airframe hours: 112
- Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Howard Austin
- Registered owner: Howard Austin
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Departed: 4J5, Quitman, GA
- Destination: 4J5, Quitman, GA
- Airport: 4J5, Quitman Brooks County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 82; injuries: minor; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 17,000 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: VLD, 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 20090804048729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090804048729A), Aug 4, 2009: Austin Howa RANS S-12XL, Quitman, GA, Destroyed. Pilot states that due to his own error he got low on approach and contacted a tree top.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 18, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74452. 645 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 435 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317459&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot and Passenger Statements (item 2, .PDF, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317439&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20Passenger%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - FAA Information (item 3, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317461&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Information-Redacted.PDF

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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