# NTSB GAA16CA026: Rans S-7, N272X, Gerlach, NV, October 21, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 21, 2015, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Gerlach, NV - Coordinates: 40.391944, -119.213333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3919&lon=-119.2133&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92217 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92217/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92217 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA026 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain pitch and airspeed control, in conjunction with full flaps, while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in a tail-stall and subsequent impact with the ground. ## 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: [Jason Sneed / Monika Bonczkova S-7S COURIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056330I), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Jason Sneed / Monika Bonczkova S-7S COURIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=056330I), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Jason Sneed / Monika Bonczkova S-7S COURIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=056330I), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Jason Sneed / Monika Bonczkova S-7S COURIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=056330I), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Jason Sneed / Monika Bonczkova S-7S COURIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056330I), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Jason Sneed / Monika Bonczkova S-7S COURIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056330I), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, while flying in a high desert valley, he intended to perform a low pass over a remote airstrip to assess its suitability for landing in the future. The pilot reported that prior to the pass, he slowed the airplane and added full flaps. He said that in this airplane configuration, following a left turn, the "flight controls in pitch became loose as if the tail stalled," and right afterward "the nose pitched down." He reported that he added power, and that his sensation was "that the plane was flying but being pushed to the ground with no feedback from the elevator." The pilot reported that as he approached the ground, he applied back pressure but the airplane impacted the ground hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior, to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. It is likely that the airplane's configuration in conjunction with the reduced airspeed induced a tail stall pitching the nose down, due to the absence of tail-down force. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, while flying in a high desert valley, he intended to perform a low pass over a remote airstrip to assess its suitability for landing in the future. The pilot reported that prior to the pass, he slowed the airplane and added full flaps. He said that in this airplane configuration, following a left turn, the "flight controls in pitch became loose as if the tail stalled," and right afterward "the nose pitched down." He reported that he added power, and that his sensation was "that the plane was flying but being pushed to the ground with no feedback from the elevator." The pilot reported that as he approached the ground, he applied back pressure but the airplane impacted the ground hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior, to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N272X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N272X), registered now, S/N 1213601 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RANS S-7 (S) - Registry model: [Jason Sneed / Monika Bonczkova S-7S COURIER](https://openairdocs.org/model/jason-sneed-monika-bonczkova-s-7s-courier) (registry code 056330I) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1213601 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 274 - Engines: Rotax 914 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jason Sneed - Monika Bonczkova - Registered owner: Jason Sneed - Monika Bonczkova - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: UT99, Fairfield, UT - Destination: H37, Herlong, NV - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 25, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,678.5 total, 285.7 in this make and model, 1,678.5 as pilot in command, 37.5 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: RTS, 41 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 5, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92217. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436460&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 293 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436461&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.