Rans, Inc. S-14 accident near Pasco, WA
On June 6, 2003, a Rans, Inc. S-14 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Pasco, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 6, 2003
- Place
- Pasco, WA
- Aircraft
- Rans, Inc. S-14 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 46.467°N, 119.033°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030610X00837
NTSB summary
On June 5, 2003, about 2100 Pacific daylight time, an unregistered experimental Rans S-14, owned and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, impacted flat open terrain while maneuvering near Pasco, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from Richland, Washington, about 45 minutes prior to the accident. A witness reported that he was about 3/4 mile from the accident site location. He reported that he observed four small aircraft flying in the area. Three of the aircraft departed to the east, while the fourth remained in the area conducting aerial maneuvers between 50 and 100 feet above ground level. The witness stated that the maneuvers consisted of hard banking turns, steep climbs and descents. The aircraft then pulled up sharply, banked steeply and descended rapidly. The witness stated that it appeared that the pilot tried to pull out of the dive before he lost sight of the aircraft behind terrain. The aircraft came to rest inverted in an open flat field located approximately 12 miles north of the Tri-Cities Airport, Pasco. The accident site elevation was approximately 900 feet. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Spokane, Washington, Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site. The inspector reported that ground impact signatures and aircraft damage indicated that the aircraft collided with the flat terrain in a nose low and slight right wing low attitude. The right win
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. A physical impairment due to alcohol was a factor.
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Browse: Washington · Rans, 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.
