# NTSB FTW04LA014: Rans S-10, N190SP, Ponder, TX, October 19, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 19, 2003, 16:35 local (21:35 UTC) - Place: Ponder, TX - Coordinates: 33.191665, -97.325279 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1917&lon=-97.3253&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 58222 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58222/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA014 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to conduct low altitude maneuvering flight and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis According to several witnesses, the homebuilt experimental airplane was maneuvering above the private pilot's residence when they observed the airplane "pitch up," and then stall, before impacting the ground in a nose low attitude. One witness, who was a neighbor of the 314-hour pilot, reported that the pilot took off from a field in front of his house and made a pass over his front yard approximately 200 feet agl. While passing over the field, the pilot appeared to "lean out of the right side" of the cockpit and "waved" at his neighbors. The airplane then pitched nose up, rolled to the right, and flew "straight into the ground" in a nose-down attitude. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane appeared to have impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude. All flight control surfaces appeared to have no pre-impact anomalies. Flight control cables and push-pull tubes did not show evidence of pre-impact failures or binding. ## Factual narrative On October 19, 2003, approximately 1635 central daylight time, a Rans S-10 homebuilt experimental airplane, N190SP, registered to and operated by a private individual, was destroyed when it impacted the ground following a loss of control while maneuvering in the vicinity of Ponder, Texas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated approximately 1600 from a private grass airstrip near Ponder, Texas. According to several witnesses, the airplane was maneuvering above the pilot's residence when they observed the airplane "pitch up," and then stall, before impacting the ground in a nose low attitude. One witness, who was a neighbor of the 314-hour pilot, reported that the pilot took off from a field in front of his house and made a pass over his front yard approximately 200 feet above ground level (agl). While passing over the field, the pilot appeared to "lean out of the right side" of the cockpit and "waved" at his neighbors. The airplane then pitched nose up, rolled to the right, and flew "straight into the ground" in a nose-down attitude. The pilot was transported to a hospital with serious injuries, and 5 days later, succumbed to his injuries. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the tail wheel-equipped airplane was issued its initial experimental / amateur homebuilt airworthiness certificate on July 6, 1990, and had accumulated approximately 176 total flight hours as of the accident date. The airplane was powered by a ROTAX model 582, 65 horsepower, liquid cooled reciprocating engine with a 2-blade wood propeller. The main structure of the fabric covered fuselage consisted of welded "4130" steel tubes, pre-formed trussed wing ribs, and 3-inch tubular aluminum main spars. The flight control system consisted of: differential ailerons, operated by cable and push-pull tubes; dual elevator horns, operated by a 1 1/2-inch push-pull elevator control tube; and a cable operated rudder. The pilot's seat was equipped with lap and shoulder restraints. An FAA inspector, who examined the wreckage at the accident site, reported that the airplane appeared to have impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude. All flight control surfaces appeared to have no pre-impact anomalies. Flight control cables and push-pull tubes did not show evidence of pre-impact failures or binding. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N190SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N190SP-2011-01-03), registration cancelled 2011-01-03, S/N 0290089, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rans S-10 - Registry model: [Lawrence Philip W RANS S-10](https://openairdocs.org/model/lawrence-philip-w-rans-s-10) (registry code 056163R) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0290089 - Airframe hours: 1176 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Timothy D. Adcox - Registered owner: Tim Hartman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: NONE, Ponder, TX - Destination: NONE, Ponder, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 314 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: DTO ## 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 20031019027259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031019027259A), Oct 19, 2003: Amtr RANSS10, Ponder, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) On October 19, 2003, at 1700 central daylight time, a rans S-10, single engine experimental aircraft, N190SP, was destroyed when the aircraft pitched… 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.