# NTSB MIA03LA109: Bill Darling Rans S9, N93WD, Green Cove Sprg, FL, May 15, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 15, 2003, 19:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Green Cove Sprg, FL - Coordinates: 29.903055, -81.685836 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9031&lon=-81.6858&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 57007 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57007/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA109 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he performed a normal preflight and started the engine per the checklist. He performed an engine run-up before takeoff which included checking the magnetos; no discrepancies were reported. The flight departed from runway 18 with 8 gallons of automotive fuel, and at approximately 250 feet , the engine failed. The airplane crashed into a tree line, and after coming to rest, he evacuated the airplane. According to an FAA inspector who examined the airplane and accident site area, a witness reported observing the airplane take off from runway 18, and when the flight was approximately 200 feet above ground level during the upwind leg, he heard the engine experience a loss of power. The airplane was observed to bank to the left and continued the turn. The witness lost sight of the airplane due to obstructions and reported hearing the accident. Examination of the accident site by the FAA inspector revealed the airplane descended nearly vertically and came to rest upright in a wooded area. Both wing fuel tanks were breached; the smell of fuel was noted. The propeller was rotated by hand revealing the engine was not seized. Impact damage to the ignition system and fuel injector precluded operation of the engine or bench testing of the components. No determination was made as to the reason for the loss of engine power. Examination of the flight controls revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On May 15, 2003, about 1940 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Rans S9, N93WD, registered to and operated by a private individual, collided with trees then the ground following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Haller Airpark, Green Cove Springs, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial rated pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he performed a normal preflight and started the engine per the checklist. He performed an engine run-up before takeoff which included checking the magnetos; no discrepancies were reported. The flight departed from runway 18 with 8 gallons of automotive fuel, and at approximately 250 feet , the engine failed. The airplane crashed into a tree line, and after coming to rest, he evacuated the airplane and crawled to safety. According to an FAA inspector who examined the airplane and accident site area, a witness reported observing the airplane take off from runway 18, and when the flight was approximately 200 feet above ground level during the upwind leg, he heard the engine experience a loss of power. The airplane was observed to bank to the left and continued the turn. The witness lost sight of the airplane due to obstructions and reported hearing the accident. Examination of the accident site by the FAA inspector revealed the airplane descended nearly vertically and came to rest upright in a wooded area. Both wing fuel tanks were breached; the smell of fuel was noted. The propeller was rotated by hand revealing the engine was not seized. Impact damage to the ignition system and fuel injector precluded operation of the engine or bench testing of the components. Examination of the flight controls revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93WD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93WD-2005-02-03), registration cancelled 2005-02-03, S/N 1287037, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bill Darling Rans S9 - Registry model: [Darling Bill RANS S9](https://openairdocs.org/model/darling-bill-rans-s9) (registry code 05623BG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1287037 - Airframe hours: 108.2 - Engines: Hirth 2706E 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George B. Tower Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2002, 33.2 hours before - Departed: 7FL4, Green Cove Sprg, FL - Destination: 7FL4, Green Cove Sprg, FL - Airport: 7FL4, Haller Airpark, runway 18, 2,600 × 72 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,652 total, 77 in this make and model, 2,470 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KSGJ ## 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 20030515015319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030515015319A), May 15, 2003: Amtr RANSS9, Green Cove Spr, FL, Destroyed. (-23) Witness, vince webster stated that around 1900-1930 Mr. Tower was seen taking off to the south from runway 18/36. At approximately 200 feet the aircraft… 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.