# NTSB NYC06CA146: Theordore Jankowski Rans S-12, N248PC, Caribou, ME, June 14, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 14, 2006, 19:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Caribou, ME
- Coordinates: 46.814445, -67.958053
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8144&lon=-67.9581&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Portland, ME
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63924
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63924/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA146

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in a subsequent impact with trees. A factor in the accident was the unmowed area of vegetation.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot initiated a takeoff from a turf runway. After the airplane became airborne it drifted to the left over an approximately 2-foot tall area of unmowed vegetation. The left main landing gear entered the top of the vegetation, the pilot "fought it off," and the airplane broke free. He then pushed forward on the control stick to keep from reaching a critical angle of attack and the landing gear reentered the vegetation once again. The pilot broke free for a second time, and began to climb. He then realized that he was approaching trees, but thought that he would be able to climb above them. Moments later the right wing struck the top of a tree, the airplane pivoted to the right and impacted the ground, seriously injuring the pilot and substantially damaging the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot initiated a takeoff from a turf runway. After the airplane became airborne it drifted to the left over an approximately 2-foot tall area of unmowed vegetation. The left main landing gear entered the top of the vegetation, the pilot "fought it off," and the airplane broke free. He then pushed forward on the control stick to keep from reaching a critical angle of attack and the landing gear reentered the vegetation once again. The pilot broke free for a second time, and began to climb. He then realized that he was approaching trees, but thought that he would be able to climb above them. Moments later the right wing struck the top of a tree, the airplane pivoted to the right and impacted the ground, seriously injuring the pilot and substantially damaging the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N248PC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N248PC-2008-01-22), registration cancelled 2008-01-22, S/N 0994515, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Theordore Jankowski Rans S-12
- Registry model: [Jankowski Theordore RANS S-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/jankowski-theordore-rans-s-12) (registry code 05628QB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0994515
- Airframe hours: 134
- Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2005, 22 hours before
- Departed: Caribou, ME
- Destination: Presque Isle, ME
- Airport: runway 18, 1,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 300 total, 30 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: CAR

## 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 20060614016399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060614016399A), Jun 14, 2006: Amtr RANSS12, Caribou, ME, Substantial damage. (-23) During takeoff from a very narrow (20 ft.) Private grass strip in Caribou, Maine, the pilot swerved off the runway. He continued his takeoff in tall…

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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