# NTSB WPR14CA352: Rans S 6S, N171CT, Rigby, ID, August 22, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 22, 2014, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Rigby, ID - Coordinates: 43.642501, -111.929443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6425&lon=-111.9294&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: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 13, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89933 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA352 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89933/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89933 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA352 ## Probable cause The student pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to intervene and apply corrective flight control inputs. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901GL), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=05901GL), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Rans S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05901GL), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05901GL), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Rans S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=05901GL), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md) ## 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); cases with it: [Rans S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901GL), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Rans S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05901GL), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Rans S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05901GL), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rans S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901GL), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The light sport flight instructor was providing flight instruction to the owner of the experimental, amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped light sport airplane. The airplane was equipped with side-by-side seating; the owner sat in the left seat and was the flying pilot, and the instructor sat in the right seat. They departed the home, non-towered airport and flew uneventfully to an airport with an operating air traffic control tower, where they practiced landings and takeoffs. They then returned to the home airport for additional landings and takeoffs. All portions of the flight through that point were uneventful. After returning to, and making at least one landing back at the home airport, the pilot was attempting a takeoff from runway 19. Either at or shortly after liftoff, the airplane was struck by an "unexpected wind gust," which resulted in a loss of directional control. The student pilot was unable to regain control, and the flight instructor did not physically intervene, before the airplane struck a hangar located about 270 feet from the runway centerline. The right wing sustained substantial damage when it struck the hangar. The airplane then passed between that hangar and an adjacent one. The flight instructor did not offer any explanation as to why he did not intervene. The measured wind at an airport located about 10 miles southwest of the accident airport was reported as 320 degrees at 8 knots about 37 minutes prior to the accident, and as 090 degrees at 3 knots about 23 minutes after the accident. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The light sport flight instructor was providing flight instruction to the owner of the experimental, amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped light sport airplane. The airplane was equipped with side-by-side seating; the owner sat in the left seat and was the flying pilot, and the instructor sat in the right seat. They departed the home, non-towered airport and flew uneventfully to an airport with an operating air traffic control tower, where they practiced landings and takeoffs. They then returned to the home airport for additional landings and takeoffs. All portions of the flight through that point were uneventful. After returning to, and making at least one landing back at the home airport, the pilot was attempting a takeoff from runway 19. Either at or shortly after liftoff, the airplane was struck by an "unexpected wind gust," which resulted in a loss of directional control. The student pilot was unable to regain control, and the flight instructor did not physically intervene, before the airplane struck a hangar located about 270 feet from the runway centerline. The right wing sustained substantial damage when it struck the hangar. The airplane then passed between that hangar and an adjacent one. The flight instructor did not offer any explanation as to why he did not intervene. The measured wind at an airport located about 10 miles southwest of the accident airport was reported as 320 degrees at 8 knots about 37 minutes prior to the accident, and as 090 degrees at 3 knots about 23 minutes after the accident. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N171CT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N171CT-2021-09-04), registration cancelled 2021-09-04, S/N 11021467 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RANS AIRCRAFT S 6S (SUPERSIX) - Registry model: [Rans S-6S](https://openairdocs.org/model/rans-s-6s) (registry code 05902CS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912S series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912s-series) (registry code 55570, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11021467 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 468 - Engines: ROTAX 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 2014 - Departed: KIDA, Idaho Falls, ID - Destination: U56, Rigby, ID - Airport: U56, Rigby, runway 19, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 58; injuries: none; flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,587 total, 87 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 66; injuries: none; student; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 21 total, 21 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KIDA, 10 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 20140822015979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140822015979A), Aug 22, 2014: Rans Aircraft S-6S, Rigsby, ID, Substantial damage. Student[privacy data omitted] of aircraft was receiving flight instruction. Student pilot certificate was expired and CFI was the PIC. Initiated touch & gos on… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 28, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89933. 10.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 675 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418253&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Instructor (item 2, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418254&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Instructor-Master.PDF - METARs (item 3, .PDF, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418255&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=METARs-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Hangar (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418256&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Hangar%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Airplane End Location (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418257&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Airplane%20End%20Location%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Airplane Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418258&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Airplane%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.