Sabian Rans S-12XL accident near Mexican Hat, UT
On September 22, 2002, a Sabian Rans S-12XL (airplane) was involved in an accident near Mexican Hat, UT. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 22, 2002
- Place
- Mexican Hat, UT
- Aircraft
- Sabian Rans S-12XL · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 37.322°N, 109.955°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020926X05216
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 22, 2002, at approximately 1530 mountain daylight time, a Sabian Rans S12-XL, N725ST, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Mexican Hat, Utah. The private pilot and passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that originated from Blanding, Utah, at approximately 1405. No flight plan had been filed for the flight. According to family members, the pilot was going camping the following weekend and wanted to "scout out" a location. According to a fuel receipt, time stamped at 1348, the pilot paid for 9.9 gallons of fuel in Blanding, Utah. Witnesses observed the airplane fly up a small canyon in Cedar Mesa and make a "tight" 180 degree turn. They stated that a parachute was deployed and it appeared to be fully inflated. The parachute then separated from the airplane followed by the parachute and airplane descending towards the ground. The witnesses said the aircraft impacted the ground inverted. They stated the aircraft's engine was still running upon impact. PERSONNEL INFORMATION According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot received his first student certificate on November 3, 1982, and it was renewed on September 23, 1985. He completed all the requirements and passed his check ride for his private pilot's certificate on February 12, 2001. Additionally, on September 18, 2001, he received his Repairman Experimental Aircraft Certificate; he completed building his Rans S12-XL, N7
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and decision making (flying up a canyon with insufficient altitude) which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush, and the pilot's failure to follow the proper emergency procedures for activating his Ballistic Recovery System (shutting off his pusher engine before deploying the BRS parachute). Contributing factors were the improper installation of the BRS by
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
