# NTSB GAA18CA469: Rans S7, N8443B, Kenai, AK, August 4, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 4, 2018, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Kenai, AK - Coordinates: 61.045276, -151.979721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0453&lon=-151.9797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 10, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - NTSB case key (mKey): 98001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA469 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98001/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98001 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA469 ## Probable cause The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's climb capability due to his use of full flaps during a short-field takeoff, his failure to attain a positive climb rate after takeoff, and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, 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: [Burke Raymond J JR S-7S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05621S9), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Burke Raymond J JR S-7S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05621S9), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Burke Raymond J JR S-7S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=05621S9), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/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: [Burke Raymond J JR S-7S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05621S9), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Burke Raymond J JR S-7S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05621S9), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Burke Raymond J JR S-7S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05621S9), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Burke Raymond J JR S-7S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05621S9), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll about 40 knots airspeed with full flaps and about 50% of the 900-ft-long runway remaining, the airplane lifted off and began to climb. The airplane climbed above the tree line but then descended into ground effect. The pilot attempted to clear the trees ahead, but the airplane stalled. The left wing dropped, and the airplane descended below the tree line and touched down on the main landing gear, collided with trees, and then came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift struts. The pilot reported that he could have used the additional runway surface and held the airplane on the ground to achieve a more desirable airspeed. Additionally, the Pilot’s Operating Handbook stated not to use full flap application during short-field takeoffs. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll about 40 knots airspeed, with full flaps and about 50 percent of the 900ft runway remaining, the airplane lifted off and began to climb. The airplane climbed above the tree line but then descended into ground effect. The pilot attempted to clear the trees ahead, but the airplane stalled. The left wing dropped, and the airplane descended below the tree line and touched down on the main landing gear but collided with trees and it came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift struts. The pilot reported that he could have utilized the additional runway surface and held the airplane on the ground to achieve a more desirable airspeed. Additionally, the pilot operating handbook does not suggest the use of full flap application during short-field takeoffs. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8443B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8443B), registered now, S/N 0405398, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rans S7 (S) - Registry model: [Burke Raymond J JR S-7S](https://openairdocs.org/model/burke-raymond-j-jr-s-7s) (registry code 05621S9) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912S series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912s-series) (registry code 55570, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0405398 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 382 - Engines: Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 14, 2018 - Departed: PVT, Kenai, AK - Destination: PVT, Kenai, AK - Airport: PVT, Private Airstrip, runway 27, 900 × 100 ft, dirt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 3, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,273 total, 360 in this make and model, 1,273 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: PALV, 17 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 20180804009919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180804009919A), Aug 4, 2018: Burke Raymond J Jr S-7S, Tyonek, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed at an unimproved airstrip that is about 900' long with 30' tall trees at either end in the morning. Airman departed in the afternoon when temp… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 25, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98001. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471349&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471350&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.