# NTSB FTW93LA078: Rans S-7, N4312C, Lancaster, TX, January 31, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1993, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, TX
- Coordinates: 32.589637, -96.78057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5896&lon=-96.7806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA078

## Probable cause

AIRCRAFT CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY PILOT. TURBULENCE DUE TO STRONG, GUSTY WINDS WAS A FACTOR

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB FROM TAKEOFF ROLL, GUSTY WINDS ROLLED THE AIRPLANE TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT GEAR STRUCK THE MUDDY TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY THE LEFT GEAR AND LEFT WING MADE CONTACT WITH THE MUD

## Factual narrative

On Sunday, January 31, 1993, at approximately 1130 central standard time, a Rans S-7 home built, N4312C, was substantially damaged when gusty crosswind conditions were encountered during initial climb following takeoff at the Lancaster, Texas, municipal airport.  The airplane, owned and operated by the private pilot, was departing on what was to have been a 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight.  There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area.  Neither the pilot nor the one passenger were injured.

The pilot reported that he encountered gusty conditions "shortly after takeoff." He further reported that the aircraft rolled to the "right and the right gear struck the mud." Subsequently the left gear and left wing struck the mud.

The airplane was released to the owner following the investigation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4312C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4312C-2008-12-04), registration cancelled 2008-12-04, S/N 0489045, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RANS S-7
- Registry model: [Hinchliffe Winfred D RANS S-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/hinchliffe-winfred-d-rans-s-7) (registry code 05618JU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 489045
- Airframe hours: 103
- Engines: Rotax 532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Windfred D. Hinchliffe
- Registered owner: Windfred D. Hinchliffe
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 23, 1993, 3 hours before
- Departed: LNC
- Destination: LNC
- Airport: LNC, Lancaster, runway 31, 4,999 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,200 total, 103 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930131001169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930131001169A), Jan 31, 1993: Amtr RANSS9, Lancaster, TX, Substantial damage. Gusty crosswind on takeoff caused right main to hit mud then opposite roll caused left gear and wing to hit mud.

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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