Frost Dean C RANS S-12XL AIRAILE N518D

Summary

On 8 June 2024 at about 14:21 local time, a Frost Dean C RANS S-12XL AIRAILE registered N518D was involved in an accident near Picacho Peak, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. No probable cause has been published yet; this accident is still under investigation.

Date

8 June 2024 at 14:21

Classification

Accident

Location

Picacho Peak, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

32.6354, -111.4008

Aircraft

Frost Dean C RANS S-12XL AIRAILE

Registration

N518D

Category

Airplane

Year built

2002

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tucson → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR24FA185

1 person died.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. The investigation is still open; a final report usually follows one to two years after the accident.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

On June 8, 2024, about 0721 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur-built Rans S-12XL Airaile, N518D, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Picacho Peak, Arizona. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to witnesses, the morning of the accident, the pilot departed La Cholla Airpark, Tucson, Arizona, about 0700 and flew northwest about 22 nm to the area of Picacho Peak State Park, Arizona. Witnesses that were hiking near the accident site reported that the airplane was flying close to the north side of the peak and subsequently impacted the ground about 81 ft below the peak. One of the witnesses checked the pilot’s vital signs and noticed a strong odor of fuel at the site. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane came to rest in a nose-low attitude. Both wings, and empennage remained attached to the fuselage. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to each of the primary flight control surfaces. The wreckage was transported to a secure facility for further examination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.