Smith Rans S-7 accident near Baudette, MN
On April 26, 2003, a Smith Rans S-7 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Baudette, MN. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 26, 2003
- Place
- Baudette, MN
- Aircraft
- Smith Rans S-7 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 48.728°N, 94.612°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030502X00616
Official records · CHI03LA117
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On April 26, 2003, at 1050 central daylight time, an amateur-built experimental Smith Rans S-7 N272T, owned and piloted by a student pilot, was destroyed on impact with terrain about three miles east of Baudette, Minnesota, after the airplane was observed maneuvering over a house at tree top level. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time at the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The student pilot was fatally injured. The local flight originated from a private airstrip near Baudette, Minnesota, at an unknown time. According to a written statement given by a witness, the airplane was observed flying "very low." The witness stated she saw the airplane heading south and proceeded to "go up and turn toward the left." She stated, "the turn was very sharp and the left wing dropped and the plane nose-dived into the ground." She reported, "It [the airplane], fell very fast." The pilot, age 50, held a student certificate with an endorsement for the accident airplane. The pilot was issued a third class medical certificate on April 6, 2000 with the following restriction: "must wear lenses for distant - possess glasses for near vision." A total flight time of 52 hours was reported upon his airman medical certificate application. The accident airplane was an amateur-built Smith Rans S-7, serial number 0496184. The Rans S-7 is an experimental category high-wing airplane with a two-seat front and rear configuration; the airplane has fixed tail wheel landing gear. The Rans S-7 is powered by a Bombardier Rotax series engine. The ac
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. A contributing factor was the low altitude maneuver by the student pilot.
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Browse: Minnesota · Smith aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
