# NTSB MIA01LA147: Russell Heyn Rans S-6, N448CH, Swainsboro, GA, May 30, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 30, 2001, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Swainsboro, GA - Coordinates: 32.589408, -82.329124 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5894&lon=-82.3291&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52385 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52385/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA147 ## Probable cause the failure of the pilot to properly compensate for a crosswind and for gusty conditions during takeoff/initial climb, which resulted in an inflight loss of control and collision with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - gusts - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was departing from a private grass strip, with a right quartering headwind of about 10 to 12 mph, and as he lifted off and started to climb, while at a height of about 60 feet, a strong wind gust got under the right wing and forced the aircraft hard to the left and the nose down. According to the pilot, the aircraft then collided with the ground, and was destroyed as a result of the impact. The pilot further stated that prior to the accident, there had been no mechanical failure or malfunction to the aircraft, or any of its systems. ## Factual narrative On May 30, 2001, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Russell Heyn Rans S-6, N448CH, registered to, and operated by a private owner, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed during takeoff/initial climb in Swainsboro, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he was departing from a private grass strip, with a right quartering headwind of about 10 to 12 mph, and as he lifted off and started to climb, while at a height of about 60 feet, a strong wind gust got under the right wing and forced the aircraft hard to the left and the nose down. According to the pilot, the aircraft then collided with the ground, and was destroyed as a result of the impact. The pilot further stated that prior to the accident, there had been no mechanical failure or malfunction to the aircraft, or any of its systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N448CH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N448CH-2012-11-27), registration cancelled 2012-11-27, S/N 03991308, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Russell Heyn RANS S-6 - Registry model: [Heyn Russell RANS S-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/heyn-russell-rans-s-6) (registry code 05607OJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 03991308 - Airframe hours: 153 - Engines: Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Russell Heyn - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 2001, 3.2 hours before - Departed: SBO, Swainsboro, GA - Airport: Bill Mixon's grass strip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 2, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 192 total, 122 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: VDI, 25 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 20010530011669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010530011669A), May 30, 2001: Amtr RANSS6, Swainsboro, GA, No damage. (-23)PIC departed a grass strip of bill mixon's at about 345PM, the wind was at a right quartering head wind of some 10 to 12 mph. He lifted off and began to… 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.