# NTSB GAA15CA003: Schupp Edward W SKY Ranger II, N132ES, San Manuel, AZ, March 7, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 7, 2015, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: San Manuel, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.63972, -110.652778
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6397&lon=-110.6528&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 13, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA Scottsdale FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90839/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90839
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA003

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schupp Edward W SKY RANGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05618QR), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schupp Edward W SKY RANGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05618QR), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Schupp Edward W SKY RANGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05618QR), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Schupp Edward W SKY RANGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05618QR), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Schupp Edward W SKY RANGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05618QR), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was performing a no flap landing. About 5 feet over the runway, the pilot attempted to center the airplane over the center line but input too much rudder, the airplane landed hard, bounced, and then departed the runway to the left. The nose gear and left main landing gear separated from the fuselage; subsequently the left and right fuselage stringers sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was performing a no flap landing. About 5 feet over the runway, the pilot attempted to center the airplane over the center line but input too much rudder, the airplane landed hard, bounced, and then departed the runway to the left. The nose gear and left main landing gear separated from the fuselage; subsequently the left and right fuselage stringers sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N132ES](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N132ES-2018-01-30), registration cancelled 2018-01-30, S/N 0207206, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHUPP EDWARD W SKY RANGER II (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Schupp Edward W SKY RANGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/schupp-edward-w-sky-ranger-ii) (registry code 05618QR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0207206
- Year built: 2004
- Airframe hours: 469
- Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen L LeGrand
- Registered owner: Stephen L LeGrand
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, April 15, 2014
- Departed: E77, SAN MANUEL, AZ
- Destination: E77, SAN MANUEL, AZ
- Airport: E77, San Manuel, runway 11, 4,207 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review May 8, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 110 total, 7 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days
- Flight instructor; age 75; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,450 total, 1 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KDMA, 31 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 20150307005029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150307005029A), Mar 7, 2015: Schupp Edward W SKY RANGER II, San Manuel, AZ, Substantial damage. Received the following written statement from the pilot. "Concerning the incident about the skyranger ii N132ES. I took off with one other person, [CFI name]…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90839. 3.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425727&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425731&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Flight Instructor) (item 3, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425734&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Flight%20Instructor)-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 – View of right side nose section (photo courtesy of the owner) (item 4, .PDF, 673 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425735&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20right%20side%20nose%20section%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20owner)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – View of right side stringer (photo courtesy of the owner) (item 5, .PDF, 714 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425736&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20right%20side%20stringer%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20owner)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 – View of left side stringer (photo courtesy of the owner) (item 6, .PDF, 655 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20left%20side%20stringer%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20owner)-Master.PDF

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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