# NTSB FTW96LA155: Domaille Rans S-12, N4017S, Albuquerque, NM, March 24, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1996, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.060337, -106.619369 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0603&lon=-106.6194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 17, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA155

## Probable cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft after initiating a flight into adverse weather conditions.  The strong, gusting wind was a factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flight into adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

While on a student training flight, the student pilot lost control of the aircraft and impacted the ground following takeoff.  Winds at the time were 16 knots gusting to 22.

## Factual narrative

On March 24, 1996, at 0930 mountain standard time, a Domaille Rans S-12 experimental home built, N4017S, impacted the ground following takeoff from Coronado Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The student pilot received fatal injuries and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local area student solo flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed.  The flight departed Coronado Airport approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident.

According to available information, the pilot had accumulated approximately 20 hours of total flight experience and about 7 hours in make and model.  All of this time was reported to be in the previous 90 days.

Weather at the time was clear with wind from 250 degrees magnetic at 16 knots with gusts to 22 knots.

Examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector provided no evidence of system or airframe failure or malfunction.

According to the inspector, witnesses said the pilot appeared to lose control of the aircraft due to the winds.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4017S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4017S-2006-06-07), registration cancelled 2006-06-07, S/N 1091135 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOMAILLE RANS S-12
- Registry model: [Domaille Robert S RANS S-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/domaille-robert-s-rans-s-12) (registry code 05618JF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1091135
- Engines: Bombardier ROTAX reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Benny R. & Craig A. Greiner
- Registered owner: Thomas G. Karl
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 4AC
- Destination: 4AC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 20 total, 7 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 16 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 1 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 19960324004809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960324004809A), Mar 24, 1996: Amtr RANSS12, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Lost control in gusty winds 10 minutes after takeoff. Too much wind for homebuilt and low time student. (-23) on March 24, 1996, at 0930 mountain standard…

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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