Bergmann RANS S-12 XL AIRAILE N8KD

Summary

On 6 May 2004 at about 01:25 local time, a Bergmann RANS S-12 XL AIRAILE registered N8KD was involved in an accident near Cummings, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 May 2004 at 01:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Cummings, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Mathis Airport (GA27)

Coordinates

33.0399, -83.6434

Aircraft

Bergmann RANS S-12 XL AIRAILE

Registration

N8KD

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cleveland → Cumming

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

ATL04LA109

1 person died.

The unqualified person's poor judgement and his failed to maintain clearance from power lines and trees while maneuvering for a landing which resulted in the in-flight collision with trees and power lines. Factors were the dark night and the unqualified person's physical impairment due to alcohol consumption.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses at the airport stated that it was dark outside and that the runway was not equipped with runway edge lights. The witnesses aligned their cars along the end of the runway and turned on their headlights. The noncertificated pilot made three low approaches to runway 21, but on the third approach, the pilot banked the airplane to the left to avoid a collision with the wind sock. The airplane descended and witnesses lost sight of the airplane. Witnesses next reported hearing the on-board ballistic rocket system detonating followed by a power line transformer explosion. The airplane was located 275 feet, southeast of the airport in a nose low vertical attitude. Examination of flight controls revealed continuity. There were paint smears on the back spar and the propeller blade. The two fuel tanks were not ruptured and over six gallons of fuel were recovered. The toxicology report revealed that the pilot had a blood alcohol level of .074%. Fluoxetine (a prescription antidepressant) was also detected in the pilot's blood.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.