Summary
On June 26, 2016, a Rans Employee Flying Club RANS S 6S (N95669) was involved in an accident near Richwood, OH. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack during an initial climb of an aborted landing, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing at a private grass airstrip, he touched down long to avoid water on the runway. The pilot further reported that during the landing roll, the airplane encountered a thermal and became airborne again for about 100 feet. Subsequently, the pilot realized he could not stop within the distance remaining so he aborted the landing. During the initial climb of the aborted landing, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall, the left wing impacted terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.
The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA16CA335. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N95669.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack during an initial climb of an aborted landing, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing at a private grass airstrip, he touched down long to avoid water on the runway. The pilot further reported that during the landing roll, the airplane encountered a thermal and became airborne again for about 100 feet. Subsequently, the pilot realized he could not stop within the distance remaining so he aborted the landing. During the initial climb of the aborted landing, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall, the left wing impacted terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.
The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA16CA335