# NTSB GAA16CA469: Rainbow Sky Reach Bushcat, N2899X, Frankfort, KY, September 6, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 6, 2016, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Frankfort, KY - Coordinates: 38.188331, -84.927497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1883&lon=-84.9275&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93965 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA469 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93965/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93965 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA469 ## Probable cause The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## 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: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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); cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=06001AB), [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) (defining event); cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=06001AB), [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: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was performing a low approach with full flaps about 30 feet above the runway. He further reported that when the airplane was about 60 feet from the end of the runway, he started to add power to go-around, but the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall. Subsequently, the nose of the airplane "suddenly" dropped, the airplane impacted the terrain, and stopped on the remaining runway surface. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was performing a low approach with full flaps about 30 feet above the runway. He further reported that when the airplane was about 60 feet from the end of the runway, he started to add power to go-around, but the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall. Subsequently, the nose of the airplane "suddenly" dropped, the airplane impacted the terrain, and stopped on the remaining runway surface. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2899X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2899X-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N CH162B, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RAINBOW SKY REACH (PTY) LTD BUSHCAT (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT](https://openairdocs.org/model/rainbow-sky-reach-bushcat) (registry code 06001AB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CH162B - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 154.3 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 2016 - Departed: FFT, FRANKFORT, KY - Destination: 05KT, Frankfort, KY - Airport: 05KT, High Point Farm, runway 27, 600 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: sport pilot; last flight review January 16, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,568 total, 51.2 in this make and model, 2,116.6 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 0.3 in the last 30 days, 0.3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KFFT, 6 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 20160906016809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160906016809A), Sep 6, 2016: Rainbow Sky Reach (Pty) Ltd BUSHCAT, Frankfort, KY, Substantial damage. According to the pilot statement, (9/16/2016): aircraft departed capital city airport (fft) at 8:30 am flying to highpoint farm (05KT) to practice approaches,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 4, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93965. 459 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 340 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446152&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446153&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.