# NTSB MIA99LA154: Ryan ST-A, N18904, Leesburg, FL, May 9, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1999, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Leesburg, FL
- Coordinates: 28.799316, -81.879829 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7993&lon=-81.8798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 7, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46285
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46285/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA154

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the fence.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence
- Nose over, climb

## Analysis

The pilot departed from a private grass strip and the airplane struck a 5 foot tall fence at the departure end of the runway.  According to the pilot, the airplane 'acted as if it was getting full power,' and the gauges showed everything was 'okay.'  After lifting off the airplane struck a fence, flipped over, and nosed over in a cow pasture.

## Factual narrative

On May 9, 1999, about 1215 eastern daylight time, a Ryan ST-A, N18904, registered to a private individual, impacted with a fence during takeoff from a private airstrip near Leesburg, 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.  The airline transport-rated pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.  The flight was originating at the time.

The airplane was taking off from a private grass strip and struck a 5-foot-tall fence at the departure end of the runway.  According to the pilot, "...did not accelerate/obtain adequate take off speed.  Hit fence at end of runway [and] flipped over."  There were no discrepancies found with either the airframe or the engine.

According to the Lake County  Sheriff's report, the pilot told a deputy, "...the plane acted as if it was getting full power, but the gauges advised everything was okay...as he lifted off the plane caught the fence and flipped over landing upside down in a cow pasture."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18904](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18904), registered now, S/N 188, built 1938 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ryan ST-A
- Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST-A SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st-a-special) (registry code 7830404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Menasco PIRATE C4 D4](https://openairdocs.org/engine/menasco-pirate-c4-d4) (registry code 43504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 188
- Airframe hours: 1189
- Engines: Menasco CS-4 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger W. & Joanne Sherman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1999, 15 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Skye Ranch, runway 8, 1,600 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,500 total, 90 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LEE

## 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 19990509020449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990509020449A), May 9, 1999: Ryan STASPECIAL, Leesburg, FL, Substantial damage. On may 9, 1999, about 1215 eastern daylight time, a Ryan st-a, N18904, registered to a private individual, impacted with a fence during takeoff from a private…

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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