# NTSB ERA14CA385: Cote James Rans S 6S, N502CW, New Berlin, PA, August 4, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 4, 2014, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: New Berlin, PA - Coordinates: 40.883888, -76.980003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8839&lon=-76.9800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89874 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA385 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89874/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89874 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA385 ## Probable cause The passenger's inadvertent interference with the rudder controls during the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cote James RANS S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=05622Y3), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Cote James RANS S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05622Y3), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cote James RANS S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05622Y3), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333); cases with it: [Cote James RANS S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=05622Y3), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cote James RANS S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05622Y3), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cote James RANS S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05622Y3), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that just after takeoff, the airplane entered "uncoordinated flight to the left." He applied right rudder to correct, but felt that the rudder was ineffective. After clearing trees at the end of the runway, the pilot elected to conduct a precautionary landing in a field. He stated that the airplane's rate of descent was "high," and that the nose landing gear collapsed upon touchdown. The airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall, both wings, and the vertical stablilizer. Examination of the rudder controls revealed no anomalies. According to the pilot, his passenger was "apprehensive" about the flight, and inadvertently applied pressure to the left rudder pedal with his foot throughout the takeoff and accident sequence. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that just after takeoff, the airplane entered "uncoordinated flight to the left." He applied right rudder to correct, but felt that the rudder was ineffective. After clearing trees at the end of the runway, the pilot elected to conduct a precautionary landing in a field. He stated that the airplane's rate of descent was "high," and that the nose landing gear collapsed upon touchdown. The airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall, both wings, and the vertical stablilizer. Examination of the rudder controls revealed no anomalies. According to the pilot, his passenger was "apprehensive" about the flight, and inadvertently applied pressure to the left rudder pedal with his foot throughout the takeoff and accident sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N502CW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N502CW), registered now, S/N 08051681, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: COTE JAMES RANS S 6S - Registry model: [Cote James RANS S-6S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cote-james-rans-s-6s) (registry code 05622Y3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912S series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912s-series) (registry code 55570, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 08051681 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 112 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Beachy Martin Jr - Registered owner: Beachy Martin Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 2014, 10 hours before - Departed: 4PA1, New Berlin, PA - Destination: 4PA1, New Berlin, PA - Airport: 4PA1, Saurers Field, runway 9/27, 1,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 27, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 180 total, 73 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KSEG, 6 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 20140804014509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140804014509A), Aug 4, 2014: Cote James RANS S-6S, Winfield, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that during climb out rudder felt very stiff and the aircraft did not respond to the very limited left rudder input. Pilot set the aircraft down… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89874. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416995&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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. --- 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.