Rans S12 accident near Colville, WA
On April 17, 2021, a Rans S12 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Colville, WA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 17, 2021
- Place
- Colville, WA
- Aircraft
- Rans S12 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 48.525°N, 117.880°W
- NTSB ID
- 20210418102927
Official records · WPR21LA161
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn April 17, 2021, about 1048 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Rans S-12 light sport airplane, N707PH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Colville, Washington. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 test flight. Multiple witnesses observed the takeoff. One described the airplane’s climbout as “not impressive,” and another stated that, “it was slightly climbing but the engine sounded OK.” Multiple witnesses observed the airplane in flight. Two witnesses saw the airplane overfly their property, which was located about 1/8 mile from the accident site and reported that they could tell something “wasn’t right” because the engine sounded like it was “sputtering” and the airplane was losing altitude quickly. Neither saw the airplane impact the ground. Two other witnesses, located in a car on a highway, saw the airplane at a low altitude and getting lower. Neither heard the airplane’s engine, but both watched the airplane approach a set of power distribution lines, turn hard to its right, then descend straight down to a field. One witness stated that it looked like the pilot was flying straight to the power distribution lines then turned away from them, and if he did not turn, the airplane would have hit them. Another witness took multiple photos of the airplane as it approached the set of power distribution lines. The last photo revealed the airplane in a steep bank angle (see figure 1). Figure 1. The accident airplane in a steep
Probable cause
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid powerlines, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to improper maintenance of the carburetors.
More accidents in WA
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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.
