# NTSB ERA13CA161: Rainbow Aircraft PTY Cobra, N78DK, Camden, SC, March 9, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 9, 2013, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Camden, SC - Coordinates: 34.283611, -80.56472 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2836&lon=-80.5647&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86393 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86393/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86393 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA161 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the approach to land. ## 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: [Rainbow Aircraft PTY COBRA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05902WX), [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: [Rainbow Aircraft PTY COBRA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05902WX), [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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Rainbow Aircraft PTY COBRA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05902WX), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner of the experimental weight-shift airplane said he confirmed that the wind was calm before taking off for a flight around the traffic pattern. He said the airplane encountered updrafts and downdrafts on the downwind and base legs of the traffic pattern, and he could not control the altitude of the airplane with either control or power inputs. The pilot said that when he was on final approach, about 400 feet above ground level, he "saw the airplane nose going down at a 45-degree angle and then the hit." The airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged. The wind speed reported at the airport at the time of the accident was 3 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with his airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot/owner of the experimental weight-shift airplane said he confirmed that the winds were calm prior to takeoff for a flight around the traffic pattern. He said the airplane encountered updrafts and downdrafts on the downwind and base legs of the traffic pattern, and he could not control the altitude of the airplane with either control or power inputs. While on final approach, about 400 feet above ground level, the pilot "saw the airplane nose going down at a 45-degree angle and then the hit." The wind speed reported at the airport at the time of the accident was 3 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with his airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78DK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78DK-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N C-078, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RAINBOW AIRCRAFT PTY LTD COBRA - Registry model: [Rainbow Aircraft PTY COBRA](https://openairdocs.org/model/rainbow-aircraft-pty-cobra) (registry code 05902WX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: C-078 - Airframe hours: 34 - Engines: ROTAX 503 DCDI 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald J. Sills - Registered owner: Donald J. Sills - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 2012 - Departed: CDN, Camden, SC - Destination: CDN, Camden, SC - Airport: CDN, Woodward Field, runway 06, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; flight hours: 999,999 total, 69 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: CDN ## 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 20130309004019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130309004019A), Mar 9, 2013: Rainbow Aircraft Pty Ltd COBRA, Camden, SC, Substantial damage. On March 09, 2013 at approximately 1630 the pilot departed runway 06 at Woodward Field, Camden south carolina, to do pattern work. On the first down wind leg… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 6, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86393. 4.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 610 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389482&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: View of Left Side of Aircraft (FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389479&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20Left%20Side%20of%20Aircraft%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Right Side View of Damaged Aircraft (item 3, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389481&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Right%20Side%20View%20of%20Damaged%20Aircraft-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.