# NTSB FTW90DPG15: Rotec Engineering Ralley III, N920RE, Woodson, AR, September 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1990, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Woodson, AR
- Coordinates: 34.529113, -92.250038 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5291&lon=-92.2500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DPG15
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22948/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPG15

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL, HE NOTICED THAT THE ELEVATOR 'CONTINUED TO REQUIRE BACK PRESSURE TO MAINTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT.' HE ELECTED TO MAKE A GENTLE TURN AND RETURN FOR LANDING WHEN HE 'FELT THE SNAP ON THE ELEVATOR CONTROL BREAKING.' CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. ON-SCENE EXAMINATION REVEALED NO ANOMALIES AND ALL DAMAGE WAS RELATED TO IMPACT FORCES. THE NON-RATED PILOT HAD NEVER RECEIVED FORMAL FLIGHT TRAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N920RE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N920RE-1991-04-01), registration cancelled 1991-04-01, S/N 25258 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rotec Engineering, Inc. RALLEY III
- Registry model: [Satterwhite Ramon RALLY 3](https://openairdocs.org/model/satterwhite-ramon-rally-3) (registry code 05675JQ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 25258
- Airframe hours: 60
- Engines: Rotax 503 43 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Winston F. Wade
- Registered owner: Satterwhite, Ramon S
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 2 in this make and model, 395 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900913039939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900913039939A), Sep 13, 1990: Amtr RALLY3, Woodson, AR, Destroyed. Stalled and crashed during climbout. Claimed elevator cables broke. Not sustained. Had no pilot license or medic.

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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