Nelson RANS S-12 accident near Mesa, AZ
On April 3, 2012, a Nelson RANS S-12 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Mesa, AZ. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 3, 2012
- Place
- Mesa, AZ
- Aircraft
- Nelson RANS S-12 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 33.461°N, 111.728°W
- NTSB ID
- 20120403X20101
Official records · WPR12LA152
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 3, 2012, about 0742 mountain standard time, a Nelson Rans S-12, N586BN, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Falcon Field Airport (FFZ)Mesa, Arizona. The commercial pilot and the passenger/owner were fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to the passenger and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight. Witnesses reported that shortly after the airplane took off, when it was about 200-300 feet above ground level, the airplane made a sudden right turn of about 90 degrees. Some witnesses reported that there was a reduction in engine power just prior to the right turn and an increase in engine power during the turn. Witnesses reported that while in the turn, the airplane appeared to stall and start to spin; one witness reported that it appeared as if the pilot started to regain control just prior to impacting terrain. PERSONNEL INFORMATION At the time of the accident, the pilot, age 23, held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single- and multi- engine land and instrument ratings. His most recent certificate was issued on March 22, 2012. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical certificate was issued on May 11, 2011 with the restriction that he must wear corrective lenses. The pilot had accumulated about 734 hours of flight experience, 121 of which were in the accident airplane. The pilot had been flying the accident airplane since July of 2010. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airpla
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude shortly after takeoff.
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Browse: Arizona
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
