# NTSB NYC98LA118: Morrison Rans S-12, N91337, Gum Spring, VA, May 16, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 16, 1998, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Gum Spring, VA - Coordinates: 37.769172, -77.890846 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7692&lon=-77.8908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39568 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39568/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA118 ## Probable cause A loose/partially disconnected engine intake fuel line which resulted in a loss of engine power, and the pilot's delayed (late) flare prior to touchdown. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,line - loose (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - delayed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis After two uneventful flights earlier in the day, the pilot departed on another flight. During the initial climb, approximately 250-300 feet above the runway, the engine sputtered and recovered. A second later the engine sputtered again; however, it did not recover. The pilot said the engine continued to run, but produced 'very little power.' The pilot then executed a 180 degree turn back towards the airport and attempted a forced landing to the runway. He reported that he was able to partially flare just before hitting the surface. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the intake hose which extended from one of the carburetors to the engine was loose and partially disconnected. ## Factual narrative On May 16, 1998, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Rans S-12, N91337, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from the Holly Springs Airport (80VA), Gum Spring, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight destined for the Warrenton Airpark Airport, Warrenton, Virginia. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said he had flown the airplane on two flights earlier in the day and experienced no problems. He then departed runway 24 at 80VA, a 2,000 foot long turf runway. During the initial climb, approximately 250-300 feet above the runway, the engine sputtered and recovered. A second later the engine sputtered again; however, it did not recover. The pilot said the engine continued to run, but produced "very little power." The pilot then turned back towards the airport and attempted a forced landing to the runway. The pilot further stated: "...In my attempt to land, I made the turn with a sharp attitude of descent to maintain sufficient airspeed so that I did not stall. I completed the 180 degree turn and was successive in partially flaring the aircraft just before hitting the surface. I was at approximately [a] 30 degree angle to the [runway]..." Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the rubber intake hose which extended from one of the carburetors to the engine was loose and partially disconnected. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91337](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91337-2011-07-05), registration cancelled 2011-07-05, S/N 1292361, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Morrison RANS S-12 - Registry model: [Morrison Ronald B RANS S-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/morrison-ronald-b-rans-s-12) (registry code 05601UI) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1292361 - Airframe hours: 116 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James R. Birnbaum - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 1998, 6 hours before - Departed: 80VA - Destination: 9W0, WARRENTON, VA - Airport: 80VA, Holly Springs Airport, runway 24, 2,000 × 90 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 189 total, 71 in this make and model, 139 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RIC, 30 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 19980516032069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980516032069A), May 16, 1998: Amtr RANSS12, Richmond, VA, Substantial damage. (.4)After two uneventful flights earlier in the day, the pilot departed on another flight. During the initial climb, approximately 250-300 feet above the… ## Other investigations on N91337 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC00LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA266), Sep 24, 2000: Morrison RANS-12 (N91337), Warrenton, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate airspeed which resulted in the inadvertent stall. A factor related to the accident was the gusting wind condition. 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.