# NTSB ERA10CA011: Remos Remos G-3/, N18241, Sims, NC, October 8, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 8, 2009, 18:36 local (22:36 UTC) - Place: Sims, NC - Coordinates: 35.7, -78.166664 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7000&lon=-78.1667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74876 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74876/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74876 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA011 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain altitude, resulting in controlled flight into water. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Remos REMOS G-3/600, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0600027), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Remos REMOS G-3/600, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600027), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Remos REMOS G-3/600, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=0600027), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Altitude deviation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282); cases with it: [Remos REMOS G-3/600, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282/sequence.md?model=0600027), [All aircraft, 104 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Remos REMOS G-3/600, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=0600027), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was flying above the reservoir at 500 feet approximately thirty minutes before sundown. As he completed a 180-degree turn, the sun was in his eyes. He put on a cap to block the sun from his eyes, and as he was adjusting the cap, the aircraft impacted the water. The pilot stated he “apparently relaxed the back pressure on the stick enough to lose altitude.” During the impact, the right wing incurred substantial damage. No preimpact malfunctions were reported by the pilot. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported he was flying above the reservoir at 500 feet at approximately thirty minutes before sundown. As he completed a 180 degrees turn, the sun was in his eyes. He put on a cap to block the sun from his eyes, and as he was adjusting the cap, the aircraft impacted the water. The pilot stated he “apparently relaxed the back pressure on the stick enough to lose altitude.” During the impact, the right wing incurred substantial damage. No pre-impact malfunctions were reported by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18241](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18241-2009-11-19), registration cancelled 2009-11-19, S/N 182, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: REMOS AIRCRAFT GMBH REMOS G-3/ (2006) - Registry model: [Remos REMOS G-3/600](https://openairdocs.org/model/remos-remos-g-3-600) (registry code 0600027) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 182 - Airframe hours: 65 - Engines: Rotax 912 UL-S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Massey John Thomas - Registered owner: Massey John Thomas - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 28, 2008, 25 hours before - Departed: JNX, Smithfield, NC - Destination: JNX, Smithfield, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 28, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 65 in this make and model, 520 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: JNX, 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 20091008050129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091008050129A), Oct 8, 2009: Remos Aircr REMOS G-3/6, Wilson, NC, Destroyed. Pilot stated the sun was in his eyes, and he looked down to reach for his cap in the seat. Next thing he knew he hit the lake. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 6, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74876. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320800&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies (item 2, .PDF, 219 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Local Agency - Wilson Fire and Rescue (item 3, .PDF, 152 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320803&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agency%20-%20Wilson%20Fire%20and%20Rescue-Master.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. --- 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.