Edmisten Robert Eugene Sr RANS S-14 AIRAILE N528RE

Summary

On 25 June 2023 at about 13:40 local time, a Edmisten Robert Eugene Sr RANS S-14 AIRAILE registered N528RE, operated by Edmisten Robert E SR, was involved in an accident near Bonaire, Georgia, 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

25 June 2023 at 13:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Bonaire, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Warner Robbins Air Park (RAP)

Coordinates

32.5286, -83.6100

Aircraft

Edmisten Robert Eugene Sr RANS S-14 AIRAILE

Registration

N528RE

Category

Airplane

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Edmisten Robert E SR

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA23LA279

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to properly adjust the propeller’s pitch angle, which resulted in a loss of thrust and an inability to maintain altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane was flight testing a newly installed propeller. During ground static testing, the pilot found the propeller rpm to be acceptable. After liftoff, the engine rpm increased to a non-acceptable range. The pilot responded by reducing the throttle and retracting the flaps. He also described that the airplane’s flight controls felt like a “…mushy precursor to a stall.” The pilot then increased the engine power to full and lowered the nose of the airplane to increase airspeed. The airport was surrounded by housing developments, and the pilot turned left in an attempt to return to the airport, but the airplane would not maintain altitude. He then guided the airplane toward trees in order to avoid impacting the houses. During the accident sequence, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, tailboom, and cabin structure. Following the accident, the pilot stated that he had, “inadequately adjusted” the propeller’s pitch before the accident flight, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to maintain thrust and lift.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.