# NTSB ERA23LA279: Edmisten Robert Eugene SR Rans S-14 Airaile, N528RE, Bonaire, GA, June 25, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 25, 2023, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Bonaire, GA - Coordinates: 32.528649, -83.61003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5286&lon=-83.6100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192492 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192492/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192492 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA279 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to properly adjust the propeller’s pitch angle, which resulted in a loss of thrust and an inability to maintain altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Propeller system: propeller controlling system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046120): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Edmisten Robert Eugene SR RANS S-14 AIRAILE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046120/cases.md?model=056171I), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046120/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Edmisten Robert Eugene SR RANS S-14 AIRAILE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=056171I), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Edmisten Robert Eugene SR RANS S-14 AIRAILE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=056171I), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Edmisten Robert Eugene SR RANS S-14 AIRAILE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=056171I), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Edmisten Robert Eugene SR RANS S-14 AIRAILE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056171I), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane was flight testing a newly installed propeller. During ground static testing, the pilot found the propeller rpm to be acceptable. After liftoff, the engine rpm increased to a non-acceptable range. The pilot responded by reducing the throttle and retracting the flaps. He also described that the airplane’s flight controls felt like a “…mushy precursor to a stall.” The pilot then increased the engine power to full and lowered the nose of the airplane to increase airspeed. The airport was surrounded by housing developments, and the pilot turned left in an attempt to return to the airport, but the airplane would not maintain altitude. He then guided the airplane toward trees in order to avoid impacting the houses. During the accident sequence, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, tailboom, and cabin structure. Following the accident, the pilot stated that he had, “inadequately adjusted” the propeller’s pitch before the accident flight, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to maintain thrust and lift. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N528RE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N528RE), registered now, S/N 0803133, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EDMISTEN ROBERT EUGENE SR RANS S-14 AIRAILE - Registry model: [Edmisten Robert Eugene SR RANS S-14 AIRAILE](https://openairdocs.org/model/edmisten-robert-eugene-sr-rans-s-14-airaile) (registry code 056171I) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0803133 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 676 - Engines: Rotax 503 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Edmisten Robert E Sr - Registered owner: Edmisten Robert E Sr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 28, 2022 - Airport: RAP, Warner Robbins Air Park, runway 27, 2,500 × 70 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review March 28, 2017; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 956 total, 677 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: WRB, 6 nm away - METAR: KWRB 241355Z AUTO 35004KT 10SM CLR 26/21 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP162 T02630206 ## 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 20230625011219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230625011219A), Jun 25, 2023: Edmisten Robert Eugene Sr RANS S-14 AIRAILE, Warner Robins, GA, Substantial damage. On June 25, 2023, at approximately 0940 eastern standard time, a 2004 Edmisten Robert Eugene Sr., model: rans S-14 airaile, experienced a loss of power on… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192492. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15784161&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 789 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15783764&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photo%27s-Rel.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.