Rans S-12 XL AIRAILE N350KB

Summary

On 24 July 2009 at about 13:40 local time, a Rans S-12 XL AIRAILE registered N350KB was involved in an accident near Marana, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 July 2009 at 13:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Marana, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

The Ultralight Strip (4AZ8)

Coordinates

32.2903, -111.3400

Aircraft

Rans S-12 XL AIRAILE

Registration

N350KB

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Marana → Marana

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09CA366

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The light sport aircraft student pilot was practicing short field takeoff and landings in the experimental light sport airplane. He reported that during the initial climb out phase of the two prior takeoffs, the airplane yawed to the left, and that he countered this motion by lowering the airplane's nose. On the third takeoff attempt, he applied full engine power during the ground roll; the airplane rotated, and immediately yawed to the left towards the adjacent hangars. The pilot attempted to turn the airplane away from the hangars but the left wing dropped and the airplane collided with the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage, and both wings. The pilot reported that the winds were calm, and there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane’s engine or flight control systems.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.