# NTSB WPR09CA366: Rans S-12 XL Airaile, N350KB, Marana, AZ, July 24, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 24, 2009, 06:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Marana, AZ - Coordinates: 32.290279, -111.339996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2903&lon=-111.3400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74364 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA366 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74364/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74364 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA366 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) ## Analysis The light sport aircraft student pilot was practicing short field takeoff and landings in the experimental light sport airplane. He reported that during the initial climb out phase of the two prior takeoffs, the airplane yawed to the left, and that he countered this motion by lowering the airplane's nose. On the third takeoff attempt, he applied full engine power during the ground roll; the airplane rotated, and immediately yawed to the left towards the adjacent hangars. The pilot attempted to turn the airplane away from the hangars but the left wing dropped and the airplane collided with the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage, and both wings. The pilot reported that the winds were calm, and there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane’s engine or flight control systems. ## Factual narrative The light sport aircraft student pilot was practicing short field takeoff and landings in the experimental light sport airplane. He reported that during the initial climb out phase of the two prior takeoffs, the airplane yawed to the left, and that he countered this motion by lowering the airplane's nose. On the third takeoff attempt, he applied full engine power during the ground roll; the airplane rotated, and immediately yawed to the left towards the adjacent hangars. The pilot attempted to turn the airplane away from the hangars but the left wing dropped and the airplane collided with the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage, and both wings. The pilot reported that the winds were calm, and there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane’s engine or flight control systems. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N350KB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N350KB-2010-04-01), registration cancelled 2010-04-01, S/N 05970801, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RANS S-12 XL AIRAILE - Registry model: [Rans S-12 XL AIRAILE](https://openairdocs.org/model/rans-s-12-xl-airaile) (registry code 05902OR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-series) (registry code 55569, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 05970801 - Airframe hours: 116 - Engines: Rotax 912 UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 2009, 3 hours before - Departed: 4AZ8, Marana, AZ - Destination: 4AZ8, Marana, AZ - Airport: 4AZ8, The Ultralight Strip, runway 20, 1,650 × 75 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; student, sport pilot; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 58 total, 19 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: RYN, 13 nm away ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74364. 635 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 635 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317632&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.