# NTSB GAA17CA407: Gerald Donovan Rans S-16, N116GD, Los Lunas, NM, July 12, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 12, 2017, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Los Lunas, NM - Coordinates: 34.761112, -106.745002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7611&lon=-106.7450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95565 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA407 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95565/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95565 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA407 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## 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: [Gerald Donovan RANS S-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05636EX), [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: [Gerald Donovan RANS S-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05636EX), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Gerald Donovan RANS S-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=05636EX), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Gerald Donovan RANS S-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05636EX), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Gerald Donovan RANS S-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05636EX), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Gerald Donovan RANS S-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05636EX), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that he was performing a "test flight" and had previously accumulated about 2 hours of total flight time with the airplane. He added that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the left, and he responded by applying right rudder and aft pitch to rotate the airplane. He added that, as the airplane lifted off the runway, the airplane continued to the left and impacted weeds and a ditch. The elevator, wings, and right aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that he was performing a "test flight" and had accumulated about 2 hours of total flight time previously with the airplane. He added that, during the takeoff roll the airplane veered to the left and he responded by applying right rudder and aft pitch to rotate the airplane. He added that, as the airplane lifted off the runway, the airplane continued to the left and impacted weeds and a ditch. The elevator, wings, and right aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N116GD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N116GD-2020-09-04), registration cancelled 2020-09-04, S/N 0101027, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GERALD DONOVAN RANS S-16 - Registry model: [Gerald Donovan RANS S-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/gerald-donovan-rans-s-16) (registry code 05636EX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-240-B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-240-b) (registry code 17177, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0101027 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 2 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors IO-240-B 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 5, 2017 - Departed: E98, LOS LUNAS, NM - Destination: E98, LOS LUNAS, NM - Airport: E98, Mid Valley Airpark, runway 36, 4,332 × 37 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 26, 2017; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,402 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,370 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KE80, 8 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 20170712009059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170712009059A), Jul 12, 2017: Gerald Donovan RANS S-16, Los Lunas, NM, Substantial damage. On July 12, 2017, at 0620 MST, a rans S-16 shekari, N116GD, registered to [privacy data omitted] collided with the ground and tall vegitation while attempting… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95565. 847 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 548 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457217&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 235 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457218&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 3, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457219&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-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.