# NTSB MIA96LA125: Rans S6ES, N5144X, Bayou La Batre, AL, April 22, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1996, 19:45 local (Apr 22, 1996, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Bayou La Batre, AL
- Coordinates: 30.399293, -88.250022 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3993&lon=-88.2500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA125

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions.  The gusty/crosswind condition was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane encountered gusty wind and a downdraft on final approach to runway 18. Subsequently, the airplane struck trees short of the runway threshold.

## Factual narrative

On April 21, 1996, about 1945 central daylight time, an experimental Rans S6ES, N5144X, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91, personal flight, crashed while on approach to the Roy Ray Airport, Bayou La Batre, Alabama.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot was not injured.

The flight struck trees short of the runway threshold, while on the final approach to runway 18.  According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2; "The north end of [runway] 18 abuts a dirt road, and a stand of trees lies on the north side of the road...when I was within a few hundred feet of the north end of 18, with roughly 75 or 100 feet of clearance over the trees, a downdraft pushed me abruptly down and ultimately down...into the tops of the very last trees between me and the airstrip."  The pilot further stated, he should have used a "higher approach speed to account for gusty conditions."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5144X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5144X-1996-08-20), registration cancelled 1996-08-20, S/N 1092365 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RANS S6ES
- Registry model: [Johnstone Douglas I RANS S-6ES COYOTE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnstone-douglas-i-rans-s-6es-coyote-ii) (registry code 05622AU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1092365
- Airframe hours: 155
- Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Douglas I. Johnstone
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1995, 15 hours before
- Departed: 5R7
- Airport: 5R7, Roy Ray, runway 18, 2,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 321 total, 142 in this make and model, 282 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 9 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19960421007939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960421007939A), Apr 21, 1996: Amtr RANSS6, Bayou La Batre, AL, Substantial damage. High sink rate on final due wind gusts. Struck trees on short final. Speed too low to control downdraft.

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.

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