# NTSB FTW95LA159: Robinson S-12 Airaile, N53CR, Sugartown, LA, April 7, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1995, 18:27 local (23:27 UTC)
- Place: Sugartown, LA
- Coordinates: 30.829153, -93.010498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8292&lon=-93.0105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19384
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19384/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA159

## Probable cause

A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR REASONS UNDETERMINED. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Nose over, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER. HE MADE A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING ON A PRIVATE ROAD. AFTER CHECKING THE ENGINE AND MAKING A FULL POWER STATIC CHECK, THE PILOT TOOK OFF BUT THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER AGAIN. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND AT HIS AIRSTRIP, BUT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND ENGINE POWER AVAILABLE. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

On April 7, 1995, at 1827 central daylight time, a Robinson S-12 Airaile, N53CR was destroyed when it nosed over during a forced landing at Sugartown, Louisiana.  The pilot received serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The following is based on the pilot/operator report.  The pilot took off from his private airstrip at Sugartown at 1730 and climbed to an altitude of 350 feet.  The engine lost partial power and the pilot made a successful forced landing on a private road.  After making a full power static check, the pilot took off to return to his airstrip.  At an altitude of 50 feet, the engine lost partial power.  The pilot attempted to land at his airstrip but there was insufficient altitude and engine power available.  He made a forced landing in a nearby field but during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over.

In a telephone interview, the pilot said he had been unable to determine the reason for the partial power loss.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53CR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53CR-1995-08-16), registration cancelled 1995-08-16, S/N 0292177 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON S-12 AIRAILE (S-12 AIRAI)
- Registry model: [Robinson Chester R S-12 AIRAILE](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-chester-r-s-12-airaile) (registry code 05618NL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0292177
- Airframe hours: 11
- Engines: Rotax 912-MK-TW 79 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robinson, Chester R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1995, 11 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 8 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: POE, 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 19950407007419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950407007419A), Apr 7, 1995: Curtis ROBINC1, Sugartown, LA, Destroyed. Lost power takeoff. Landed check. Took off quit again. Unable land on private strip. Landed in field. Nosed over.

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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