# NTSB WPR12LA152: Nelson Rans S-12, N586BN, Mesa, AZ, April 3, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 3, 2012, 07:42 local (14:42 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.460834, -111.728332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4608&lon=-111.7283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report June 12, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 83285 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83285/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83285 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA152 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude shortly after takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Nelson William F RANS S-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05618XY), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Nelson William F RANS S-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05618XY), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Nelson William F RANS S-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05618XY), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Nelson William F RANS S-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05618XY), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Witnesses reported that shortly after takeoff, the airplane was about 200 to 300 feet above the ground when it made a sudden right turn and banked about 90 degrees. Some witnesses reported that they heard a reduction in engine power just before the right turn followed by an increase in engine power. During the turn, the airplane appeared to stall and enter a spin. The airplane impacted terrain and a fire ensued. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 3, 2012, about 0742 mountain standard time, a Nelson Rans S-12, N586BN, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Falcon Field Airport (FFZ)Mesa, Arizona. The commercial pilot and the passenger/owner were fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to the passenger and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight. Witnesses reported that shortly after the airplane took off, when it was about 200-300 feet above ground level, the airplane made a sudden right turn of about 90 degrees. Some witnesses reported that there was a reduction in engine power just prior to the right turn and an increase in engine power during the turn. Witnesses reported that while in the turn, the airplane appeared to stall and start to spin; one witness reported that it appeared as if the pilot started to regain control just prior to impacting terrain. PERSONNEL INFORMATION At the time of the accident, the pilot, age 23, held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single- and multi- engine land and instrument ratings. His most recent certificate was issued on March 22, 2012. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical certificate was issued on May 11, 2011 with the restriction that he must wear corrective lenses. The pilot had accumulated about 734 hours of flight experience, 121 of which were in the accident airplane. The pilot had been flying the accident airplane since July of 2010. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was an amateur built experimental Nelson Rans S-12, serial number 119147, which was privately built in 2007. The airplane was equipped with a Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower engine in the pusher configuration. The airframe and engine maintenance logbooks were not located. During a postaccident telephone conversation, the builder of the airplane reported that when he built the airplane, the fuel system consisted of four fuel tanks, two outboard auxiliary fuel tanks and two inboard main fuel tanks. The fuel selector valve, which consisted of four positions: ‘main’, ‘aux’, ‘both’, ‘off’, was located between the pilot and passenger seats. The builder reported that with the configuration of the fuel system, it is possible that, if the fuel selector valve was in the ‘off’ position, the airplane would have enough residual fuel within the system to operate the airplane normally until about initial climb. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 0747, the weather reporting station located at FFZ reported wind 030 degrees at 5 knots, 40 statute miles of visibility, clear skies, temperature 13 degrees Celsius (C), dewpoint -9 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.98 inches of mercury. The accident airport elevation was 1,394 feet. Based on the recorded weather data, the corresponding density altitude was about 1,432 feet. According to the FAA carburetor icing probability chart, with therecorded temperature and dew point, the airplane was unlikely to experience carburetor icing at climb, cruise, and glide power. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION An on-scene examination conducted by representatives from the FAA revealed that the airplane impacted the ground in a nose low attitude and started to burn. All three propeller blades were still attached at the hub, however, the blades were separated about 6 inches outboard of the hub. One of the propeller blades was located in an earthen wall located next to the main wreckage, and two of the blades were found about 250 feet from the main wreckage. All main components of the airplane were present, and control continuity was established throughout. The parachute was deployed, but resting unopened directly behind the main wreckage. The parachute T-handle was located and the pin to secure the handle was still in place. The end of the cable from the T-handle to the igniter was broomstrawed. The smell of automotive gasoline was noted underneath the airplane, most notably underneath the carburetors; fuel was found in one of the carburetor bowls. The fuel selector valve was unable to be positively identified. The engine was rotated by hand and rotated through all four compression strokes; during the rotation, the engine felt “gritty” on the inside. MEDICAL AND PATHALOGICAL INFORMATION The Maricopa County Medical Examiner completed autopsies on the pilot and passenger; cause of death was reported as blunt force injuries. The FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) conducted forensic toxicology examinations on specimens from the pilot, and reported that no ethanol or any screened drugs were detected. Testing for carbon monoxide and cyanide were not completed. TESTS AND RESEARCH During a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine, control continuity was established throughout. The flap handle was identified loose within the wreckage; the flap position was unable to be determined. The fuel selector valve was not found. The instrument panel sustained impact and fire damage; the turn coordinator showed a turn to the right. The engine was examined and the exhaust system was mounted on top of the engine close to a fuel line, fuel system transducer, coolant, and ignition systems. Fire damage was noted to the magneto side (forward side, opposite of the propeller) of the engine. The top spark plugs were removed and identified as having appropriate gapping determined by the engine manufacturer. The valve covers were removed and oil was present within the system. The engine was rotated via the propeller; all valves produced the same amount of lift and thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders. The engine was borescoped and no anomalies were noted. The water pump and oil pump were removed and no anomalies were noted. The fuel pump was removed and functioned normally when activated by hand, no fuel was present. There was no evidence of preimpact anomalies that would have resulted in a lossof engine power. Due to damage, continuity of the fuel and ignition systems could not be ascertained. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N586BN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N586BN-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N 119147, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NELSON RANS S-12 - Registry model: [Nelson William F RANS S-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/nelson-william-f-rans-s-12) (registry code 05618XY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 119147 - Engines: ROTAX 912 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Destination: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field Airport, runway 04R, 5,101 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 22, 2012; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 734 total, 121 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 5 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: FFZ, 1 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 20120403006049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120403006049A), Apr 3, 2012: Nelson William F RANS S-12, Mesa, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft N566BN departed runway 4R from ffz. At the approximate time of departure the weather was reported as temperature of 73 degrees, winds from the 020… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 17, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83285. 2.3 MB in all. - Witness Statements (item 1, .PDF, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387017&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Maps of Accident Location - Using Google Earth (item 2, .PDF, 382 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385402&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20of%20Accident%20Location%20-%20Using%20Google%20Earth-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 15 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385400&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Federal Aviation Administration regarding On-Scene Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387023&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20regarding%20On-Scene%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Original Builder of Airplane (item 5, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388685&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Original%20Builder%20of%20Airplane-Master.PDF - Airframe and Engine Examination (8 Embedded Images) (item 6, .PDF, 8 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388667&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination%20(8%20Embedded%20Images)-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385534&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Toxicological Report - Pilot (item 8, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385820&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report - Passenger (item 9, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385280&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report%20-%20Passenger-Master.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.