# NTSB GAA19CA105: Robert R. Reiland Rans, N3075E, Reidsville, NC, January 18, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 18, 2019, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Reidsville, NC - Coordinates: 36.437221, -79.851112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4372&lon=-79.8511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98897 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98897/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98897 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA105 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper pitch control during a go-around, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Reiland Robert R RANS S-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05610K6), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Reiland Robert R RANS S-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05610K6), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Reiland Robert R RANS S-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05610K6), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Reiland Robert R RANS S-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05610K6), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Reiland Robert R RANS S-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05610K6), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the light sport airplane reported that, during his third solo touch-and-go landing, the airplane "started rising" during the flare. He initiated a go-around and applied full power, but the airplane nosed forward and landed hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the light sport airplane reported that, during his 3rd solo touch and go landing, the airplane "started rising" during the flare. He initiated a go around and applied full power, but the airplane nosed forward and landed hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3075E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3075E-2026-09-04), registration cancelled 2026-09-04, S/N R0591076 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robert R. Reiland Rans (S-12) - Registry model: [Reiland Robert R RANS S-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/reiland-robert-r-rans-s-12) (registry code 05610K6) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: R0591076 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 250 - Engines: Rotax 582 / 99UL 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 7, 2017 - Departed: SIF, Reidsville, NC - Destination: SIF, Reidsville, NC - Airport: SIF, Rockingham County Nc Shiloh, runway 31, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 9, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 78.5 total, 6 in this make and model, 51.1 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KSIF ## 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 20190118000269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190118000269A), Jan 18, 2019: Reiland Robert R RANS S-12, Stoneville, NC, Substantial damage. The pilot took off to do practice pattern work and get used to the aircraft. On his fifth traffic pattern, he came in with too much speed and ballooned. He… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 12, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98897. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 343 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471015&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Foreign Notification (item 2, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471016&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Foreign%20Notification-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 5 photos, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471017&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.