# NTSB FTW02LA231: Page Rans S-7, N497RP, Welsh, LA, August 6, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 2002, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Welsh, LA
- Coordinates: 30.234722, -92.818611
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2347&lon=-92.8186&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (FSDO)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 55413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA231

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain the minimum required airspeed for flight, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

During a normal takeoff to the north from a turf covered runway, the airplane stalled, and subsequently, impacted the ground. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident the wind was from the north at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots.

## Factual narrative

On August 6, 2002, at 1600 central daylight time, a Page Rans S-7 amateur-built airplane, N497RP, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff from the Welsh Airport, Welsh, Louisiana.  The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot.  The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.  The local flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for the Jennings Airport, Jennings, Louisiana.

The 386-hour pilot reported that during a normal takeoff to the north from a turf covered runway, the airplane stalled, and subsequently, impacted the ground.  He added that at the time of the accident, the wind was from the north at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots.

According to initial responders to the accident site, the airplane's left wing was "destroyed," and the landing gear separated from the airplane.  Additionally, the engine was displaced aft beneath the airplane's fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N497RP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N497RP-2002-10-21), registration cancelled 2002-10-21, S/N 001, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Page Rans S-7
- Registry model: [Page Ralph W RANS S-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/page-ralph-w-rans-s-7) (registry code 05607KC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 302
- Engines: Rotax 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph W. Page
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, March 15, 2002, 37 hours before
- Departed: 6R1, Welsh, LA
- Destination: 3R7, Jennings, LA
- Airport: 6R1, Welsh, runway 36, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 25, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 386 total, 302 in this make and model, 386 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: LCH, 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 20020806029929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020806029929A), Aug 6, 2002: Amtr RANSS7, Welsh, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot lost control of the aircraft shortly after take-off. The pilot stated that a gusting-crosswind hit the aircraft causing loss of control and…

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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