# NTSB MIA93LA175: Rotec Engineering Rotec Rally 3, N145RE, Jay, FL, August 16, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 15, 1993, 19:45 local (Aug 16, 1993, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Jay, FL - Coordinates: 30.950389, -87.150039 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9504&lon=-87.1500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37383 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37383/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA175 ## Probable cause FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED (VS), INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND, AND ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT FOR RECOVERY. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND AND IN FLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis DURING A TURN TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT DURING GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE. HE HAD RECEIVED FORMAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTION IN THE PAST BUT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY FLIGHT INSTRUCTION IN THIS AIRPLANE. HIS STUDENT PILOT/MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS ISSUED ON JANUARY 23, 1985. ## Factual narrative On August 15, 1993, about 1945 central daylight time, a Rotec Engineering, Inc., Rotec Rally 3, N145RE, listed with the FAA in a "sale reported" status, crashed following an in-flight loss of control near Jay, Florida while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was seriously injured. The flight originated from an airstrip near Jay, Florida, about 1930. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to locate a nearby airstrip, but after departure elected to return to the departure airstrip due to gusty wind conditions. The airplane was about 50-75 feet above ground level and during a turn to return, the airplane stalled. The airplane descended and impacted the ground. He further stated that there was no preimpact engine failure or malfunction and he was told the airplane was an ultralight. He also stated that he had in the past received formal flight instruction but did not receive any flight instruction in this airplane. He estimated that he had accumulated about 50 hours in all airplanes of which 6 hours were in this make and model airplane. According to an FAA inspector who examined the airplane the following day, a faded registration number was visible on the vertical stabilizer. Review of FAA records revealed that the pilot was issued a third class student pilot/medical certificate on January 23, 1985. Additionally, on June 16, 1983, a special airworthiness certificate was issued for N145RE under the experimental category for the purpose of exhibition. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N145RE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N145RE-2013-04-01), registration cancelled 2013-04-01, S/N 25280, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROTEC ENGINEERING, INC. ROTEC RALLY 3 (ROTEC RALL) - Registry model: [Rotec Engineering ROTEC RALLY 3](https://openairdocs.org/model/rotec-engineering-rotec-rally-3) (registry code 056755B) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25280 - Engines: ROTAX 503 47 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wells, Oliver J. - Registered owner: Cary Reagan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; medical: expired; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 6 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: NSE, 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 19930815029249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930815029249A), Aug 15, 1993: Amtr RALLY3, Jay, FL, Substantial damage. Tried return to departure airstrip due rough air. Stalled and impacted ground. No flight instruction in homebuilt. (.19) on August 15, 1993, about 1945 central… 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.