Penska RANS S-9 N34AP

Summary

On 9 February 2003 at about 17:30 local time, a Penska RANS S-9 registered N34AP was involved in an accident near Dothan, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 February 2003 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Dothan, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

31.3214, -85.4494

Aircraft

Penska RANS S-9

Registration

N34AP

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Dothan → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL03LA043

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall and subsequent inflight collision with the ground

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff he made a steep left turn to avoid other aircraft in the immediate area. The pilot stated, "he allowed the airplane to get slow and stall". The pilot estimated that he was approximately 100 feet above ground level in a steep left turn. Subsequently the airplane collided with the ground in a nose low attitude. The on scene examination of the airplane found no binding crimping or any other restriction to flight control movement aft of the cockpit.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.