# NTSB NYC97LA116: Goodwin Rans S-4, N495J, Cedar Bluff, VA, June 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 15, 1997, 20:30 local (Jun 16, 1997, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Cedar Bluff, VA - Coordinates: 37.519187, -79.679862 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5192&lon=-79.6799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39376 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39376/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA116 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial takeoff climb which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A related factor was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane was observed to enter a right turn and abruptly pitch down during the initial climb after takeoff. The airplane then impacted the ground. Examination of the wreckage did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunctions. The pilot had not flown in the previous 30 days, and had flown about 2 hours during the previous 90 days. This was the pilot's first flight in make and model. ## Factual narrative On June 15, 1997, about 2030 eastern daylight time, an experimental homebuilt, tailwheel equipped airplane, a Goodwin Rans S-4, N495J, was destroyed when it impacted terrain during an uncontrolled descent from the initial climb after takeoff, near Cedar Bluff, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight destined for Tazewell County Airport, Richlands, Virginia. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Witnesses reported that this was the pilot's first flight in the experimental homebuilt airplane. The airplane was observed in the initial takeoff climb when it banked right, pitched down abruptly and impacted the ground. A review of the pilot's log book revealed that he had a total flight experience of about 72 hours, of which, 4 hours were in tailwheel equipped airplane's. The pilot's two most recent flights were May 10, 1997, and April 15, 1997. The pilot had no previous flights in the accident airplane. The wreckage was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector. In a report from the FAA Inspector, it stated that "it appears that the pilot inadvertently allowed the aircraft to stall and enter a spin and was unable to recover control prior to impact. An investigation of the aircraft and its systems failed to produce any evidence of failure or malfunction." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N495J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N495J-2018-01-19), registration cancelled 2018-01-19, S/N 94218, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Goodwin RANS S-4 - Registry model: [Goodwin James H RANS S-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/goodwin-james-h-rans-s-4) (registry code 05630AG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 94218 - Engines: Rotax 503 reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James H Goodwin - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: NONE - Destination: RICHLANDS, VA - Airport: NONE, Private Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 72 total, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BLF, 35 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 19970616014019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970616014019A), Jun 16, 1997: Amtr RANSS6, Cedar Bluff, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled and spun in on climbout. No check out. First flight in type. 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.