# NTSB MIA97LA048: Kelly Rans S-12, N6156K, Jacksonville, FL, December 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 24, 1996, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Jacksonville, FL - Coordinates: 30.359683, -81.509353 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3597&lon=-81.5094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38194 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38194/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA048 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering after takeoff, which resulted in a stall/mush and collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot took off in a floatplane from an intercoastal waterway with a wind from the right at 13 knots. He elected to fly over land, reduced engine power when the flight was about 100 feet agl, and climbed to about 150 feet agl. While maneuvering toward water about 10 mph above stall speed, the airplane began descending. The pilot applied full power, but the descent continued, and the airplane collided with trees. The pilot stated that there was no engine failure or malfunction. He did not hold a seaplane class rating. ## Factual narrative On December 24, 1996, about 1300 eastern standard time, a homebuilt float equipped Rans S-12, N6156K, registered to a private individual, collided with trees shortly after takeoff from an intercoastal waterway near Jacksonville, 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 pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 2 minutes earlier from the intercoastal waterway. The pilot stated that after takeoff on the waterway, he maneuvered the airplane towards land to fly into a direct headwind and about 100 feet above ground level (agl), he reduced the engine power. The climb airspeed was about 10 mph above the stall speed and about 150 feet agl, he maneuvered the airplane towards the water. He then encountered a loss of altitude and applied full power but the airplane descended and collided with trees. He further stated that there was no engine or airframe malfunction before the impact with the palm tree. The pilot did not hold at the time of the accident a seaplane class rating. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6156K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6156K-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 0792253 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kelly RANS S-12 - Registry model: [Kelly John A RANS S-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/kelly-john-a-rans-s-12) (registry code 05620YH) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0792253 - Airframe hours: 40 - Engines: Rotax 582LC 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jerry Lee Nelson - Registered owner: John A. Kelly - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1996, 5 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,000 total, 5 in this make and model, 2,104 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 13 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CRG ## 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 19961224042379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961224042379A), Dec 24, 1996: Amtr RANSS12, Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot took off in a floatplane from an intercoastal waterway with a wind from the right at 13 knots. He elected to fly over land, reduced engine power… 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.