History of Flight
On March 3, 2010, at 1335 Atlantic standard time, an experimental amateur-built Monroig Rans S-6S, N514PM, experienced a loss of control during landing at Eugenio Mario de Hostos Airport (TJMZ), Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. The certificated sport pilot was killed. The flight originated from Patillas, Puerto Rico, at 1100.
A witness and friend of the pilot stated they had picked up another airplane and were flying both to Arecibo, Puerto Rico. They decided not to cross the mountains and landed at Mayaguez. The witness crossed the airfield from south to north for a left downwind entry to runway 9. He overheard a Caravan pilot state on the radio that there was a heavy crosswind from the south and the landing would be difficult. The Caravan landed; the witness made an approach and landed.
The witness called his friend on the radio, informing him of the crosswind, and advised him to continue to Arecibo since he had plenty of fuel. The accident pilot stated he would make an approach, which ended in a go-around. The pilot entered left downwind for a second approach; the witness again advised going to Arecibo, but the pilot continued.
The pilot's flare over the runway was fast. The nose pitched up more than 45 degrees. The airplane climbed to about 75 feet above ground level and the airspeed decreased. The airplane stalled, the left wing and nose dropped, and it entered a spin to the left. The witness instructed the pilot to add power and heard an increase in power. The airplane collided with the ground in a nose-down, left-wing-low attitude and came to rest inverted. The airplane received structural damage to the cabin area and both wings.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 55, held a sport pilot certificate issued on September 4, 2009, and a third-class medical certificate issued on August 30, 2006, with the restriction "must wear corrective lenses." He indicated on his medical application that he had 2 total flight hours. His logbook showed 48 total flight hours, of which 42.75 hours were with a flight instructor. He had logged 25 hours in the RANS S-6S, with 5.25 hours as pilot-in-command. He had flown 8 hours in the last 90 days and 5 hours in the last 30 days.
Aircraft Information
The two-seat, single-engine airplane, serial number 11031532, was issued a special airworthiness certificate on October 19, 2005. Its maximum gross weight is 1200 pounds. It is powered by a Rotax 912 UL, 80-horsepower engine, with a Sensenich fixed-pitch composite propeller. The last condition inspection was on May 14, 2009; no tachometer time was recorded. Total time since inspection could not be determined. The tachometer at the crash site indicated 261 total hours. According to the witness, both airplanes were topped off with automotive gasoline before departing Patillas.
Meteorological Information
The 1252 TJMZ surface observation: wind 160 degrees at 10 knots, gusting 20 knots; visibility 10 miles; broken clouds at 3,000 feet; temperature 31°C; dew point 22°C; altimeter 29.90 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Initial examination showed the airplane collided with the ground in a nose-down, left-wing-low attitude and came to rest on a heading of 170 degrees magnetic. The upper and lower engine cowling separated. The propeller assembly remained attached to the crankshaft flange; both blades separated from the hub. The engine assembly was pushed up, aft, and left. The firewall was buckled and displaced right. The nose wheel assembly remained attached.
The forward and overhead windscreens were broken. The cabin area was damaged. The instrument panel was pushed inward, downward, and up. The magneto switch was in the both position; throttle full forward; fuel valve on. The right fuel tank was ruptured; the left tank was not ruptured and was about three-fourths full. Both fuel caps had a tight seal. Fuel was present in both carburetors. Both seats were displaced aft and right. The pilot's seatbelt and shoulder harness were in use. Flight control continuity was confirmed to all surfaces. The main landing gear remained attached.
The right wing remained attached at the root; leading edge damaged from root to tip. Wing struts remained attached. Right aileron and flap (retracted) remained attached. The empennage aft of the pilot's compartment was intact and undamaged. The left wing remained attached at the root; leading edge buckled at root. Left aileron and flap (retracted) remained attached.
Engine examination on March 23, 2010, revealed no mechanical problems.
Medical and Pathological Information
Postmortem examination by the Instituto de Ciencias Forenses on March 4, 2010, determined the cause of death as severe physical trauma. Forensic toxicology was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, or drugs.
Additional Information
According to the RANS, Inc. Pilot Operating Handbook, at 1200 pounds, flaps up, 0-degree bank, stall speed is 43 mph; at 45-degree bank, 51 mph; at 60-degree bank, 61 mph. Maximum altitude loss during stall recovery is approximately 75 feet.