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August 22, 2014 · Rans Aircraft S 6S Supersix · N171CT

Rigby, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 22, 2014
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Rigby, ID
Aircraft
Rans Aircraft S 6S Supersix (2005)
Tail Number
N171CT
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR14CA352

The light sport flight instructor was providing flight instruction to the owner of the experimental, amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped light sport airplane. The airplane was equipped with side-by-side seating; the owner sat in the left seat and was the flying pilot, and the instructor sat in the right seat. They departed the home, non-towered airport and flew uneventfully to an airport with an operating air traffic control tower, where they practiced landings and takeoffs. They then returned to the home airport for additional landings and takeoffs. All portions of the flight through that point were uneventful. After returning to, and making at least one landing back at the home airport, the pilot was attempting a takeoff from runway 19. Either at or shortly after liftoff, the airplane was struck by an "unexpected wind gust," which resulted in a loss of directional control. The student pilot was unable to regain control, and the flight instructor did not physically intervene, before the airplane struck a hangar located about 270 feet from the runway centerline. The right wing sustained substantial damage when it struck the hangar. The airplane then passed between that hangar and an adjacent one. The flight instructor did not offer any explanation as to why he did not intervene. The measured wind at an airport located about 10 miles southwest of the accident airport was reported as 320 degrees at 8 knots about 37 minutes prior to the accident, and as 090 degrees at 3 knots about 23 minutes after the accident. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to intervene and apply corrective flight control inputs.

Full Narrative

The light sport flight instructor was providing flight instruction to the owner of the experimental, amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped light sport airplane. The airplane was equipped with side-by-side seating; the owner sat in the left seat and was the flying pilot, and the instructor sat in the right seat. They departed the home, non-towered airport and flew uneventfully to an airport with an operating air traffic control tower, where they practiced landings and takeoffs. They then returned to the home airport for additional landings and takeoffs. All portions of the flight through that point were uneventful. After returning to, and making at least one landing back at the home airport, the pilot was attempting a takeoff from runway 19. Either at or shortly after liftoff, the airplane was struck by an "unexpected wind gust," which resulted in a loss of directional control. The student pilot was unable to regain control, and the flight instructor did not physically intervene, before the airplane struck a hangar located about 270 feet from the runway centerline. The right wing sustained substantial damage when it struck the hangar. The airplane then passed between that hangar and an adjacent one. The flight instructor did not offer any explanation as to why he did not intervene. The measured wind at an airport located about 10 miles southwest of the accident airport was reported as 320 degrees at 8 knots about 37 minutes prior to the accident, and as 090 degrees at 3 knots about 23 minutes after the accident. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 MDT
Nearest AirportRIGBY (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRans Aircraft S 6S Supersix
Tail NumberN171CT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912S · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 66 · Sprt · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 54
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data