# NTSB WPR21LA058: Air Creation Tanarg, N912U, Pahrump, NV, November 15, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 15, 2020, 10:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Pahrump, NV - Coordinates: 36.271549, -115.9949 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2715&lon=-115.9949&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 102313 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102313/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102313 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA058 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control while maneuvering at low altitude. ## 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); cases with it: [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. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the weight-shift-control aircraft was maneuvering at low altitude when he applied throttle to begin a climb; however, the aircraft continued to descend until it impacted terrain. Examination and test run of the engine after the accident revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s failure to maintain control while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Factual narrative On November 15, 2020, about 1040 Pacific standard time, an experimental Air Creation Tanarg, weight-shift control aircraft, N912SU, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pahrump, Nevada. The pilot received a minor injury. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he was flying east toward Mt. Charleston about 400 ft above ground level (agl). He observed a herd of horses and was circling above them. When he came out of the last shallow turn, he realized that he was “a bit low.” He applied throttle, but the aircraft did not climb, and descended and impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the frame. The aircraft came to rest upright on uneven desert terrain with sparsely populated vegetation. All major components remained attached to the frame. The wings collapsed downward to the ground. The instrument panel separated but remained attached to the frame by wires. The three-bladed composite propeller sustained damage to all blades. Examination and a test run of the engine by an airframe and powerplant mechanic and overseen by a representative of the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The mechanic used the installed throttle assembly and reported that the throttle operated normally with no resistance. ## Aircraft - Registration: N912U (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: AIR CREATION Tanarg - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: T05051 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 1330 - Engines: Rotax 912UL 80 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 2020 - Departed: 74P, Pahrump, NV - Destination: 74P, Pahrump, NV - Equipment: Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review November 8, 2019; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 218 total, 166 in this make and model, 134 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: KVGT, 39 nm away - METAR: KVGT 151953Z 13004KT 10SM CLR 18/M08 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP249 T01781078 ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 19, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102313. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13350714&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20W_Chang_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 20 pages, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13350826&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20Pilot%27s%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Memo for record engine test run (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13389425&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20John%20Bade_mechanic-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 990 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13350724&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20for%20WPR21LA058-Rel.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.