24 Oct 2008: Rans S-12XL Airaile — Henry K. Jaeger

24 Oct 2008: Rans S-12XL Airaile (N20530) — Henry K. Jaeger

No fatalities • Breckenridge, TX, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

On October 24, 2008, approximately 1210 central daylight time, a Rans S-12XL Airaile, N20530, registered to and operated by an airline transport certificated pilot, was destroyed when the it struck terrain during an attempted go-around at Stephens County Airport (BKD), Breckenridge, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger on board the airplane were seriously injured. The local flight originated at Eastland Municipal Airport (ETN), Eastland, Texas at 1200.

According to the pilot's accident report, he had flown over to a neighboring airport. He said the weather was clear and the wind was from the south at five to six knots. There was no other traffic in the pattern. He took off on runway 17 and turned left base for a touch and-go landing on runway 22. He allowed his airspeed to get too low on short final and he applied power for a go-around. He made a slight left turn, but the airplane's right wing "dropped in [a] stall." The pilot was unable to recover. The pilot told an FAA inspector there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Contributing factors

  • cause Pilot
  • cause Airspeed — Not attained/maintained

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 210/03kt, vis 10sm

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