# NTSB GAA15CA105: Rans S 12XL, N51120, Sharpsville, IN, June 3, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 3, 2015, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Sharpsville, IN - Coordinates: 40.390277, -86.150001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3903&lon=-86.1500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91302 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91302/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91302 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA105 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a building. ## 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: [Rans S-12XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901DF), [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: [Rans S-12XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05901DF), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Rans S-12XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=05901DF), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901DF), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rans S-12XL, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901DF), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while taking off from his private airstrip, a gust of wind "hit" his airplane. He corrected for the gust, but when the gust stopped he was unable to correct "quick enough" to keep the airplane in line with the runway. The airplane struck the pilot's barn roof which resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while taking off from his private airstrip, a gust of wind "hit" his airplane. He corrected for the gust, but when the gust stopped he was unable to correct "quick enough" to keep the airplane in line with the runway. The airplane struck the pilot's barn roof which resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51120](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51120-2015-07-28), registration cancelled 2015-07-28, S/N 06960730, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RANS S 12XL (XL) - Registry model: [Rans S-12XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/rans-s-12xl) (registry code 059012N) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 2200](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-2200) (registry code 34800, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 06960730 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 167.5 - Engines: JABIRU 2200A 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tackett Gary L - Registered owner: Tackett Gary L - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 2015 - Departed: N/A, Sharpsville, IN - Destination: N/A, Sharpsville, IN - Airport: N/A, Private Airstrip, runway 18, 977 × 192 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review May 1, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 350 total, 250 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KOKK, 9 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 20150603008279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150603008279A), Jun 3, 2015: Rans S-12XL, Sharpsville, IN, Substantial damage. June 3, 2015 at 12:40 a.m. local time, a 1996 Rans S-12XL aircraft, N51120 crashed while attempting takeoff from a private grass strip in Sharpsville, Indiana.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 21, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91302. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429481&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane From Rear (Photo Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20From%20Rear%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.