History of Flight
On September 10, 2017, about 1850 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Rans S-6, N112CD, was substantially damaged when it impacted a field about 1 mile southeast of Stonewall, Texas. The airplane was owned by Buck EC and operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the accident site, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed from Burg Lake Aero (30TX), Stonewall, Texas, about 1700 on a local flight.
A witness observed the airplane flying near his house between 1830 and 1840. He saw the airplane heading west after turning sharply with its wings "nearly perpendicular to the ground." The airplane "snapped" to level flight, then climbed and descended in a "short rollercoaster manner." It returned to level, turned north, and descended below the tree line as if landing at 30TX. Shortly after, the witness observed the airplane climbing over hills north of Stonewall, turning east and then south, paralleling a road. The airplane then "turned sharply" to the west about 1 mile from the witness' house. It made a steep climb, descended "at a sharp angle," pulled up and leveled briefly, then made a steep climb described as a 90° climb. The witness observed the airplane "pivot" and descend steeply "nearly vertically." The witness lost sight behind trees and then saw a plume of dust. He called 911 at 1850.
Another witness driving with her husband saw the airplane "dive" toward the ground, recover, and thought it was doing "stunts." She observed the airplane "free fall again, nose first," and it did not pull up again.
Personnel Information
The 39-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating and a third-class medical certificate issued October 18, 2013, with no limitations. He reported 230 hours total flight experience during his October 2013 medical examination.
Aircraft Information
The Rans S-6, serial number 10011423, built in 2001, was a two-seat, single-engine airplane with tricycle landing gear. It was equipped with an 80-horsepower Rotax 912-UL engine, serial number 4404639, and a three-bladed composite Whirlwind propeller. The hour meter indicated 488.7 hours at the accident site. Maintenance records were not obtained. The airplane was equipped with a BRS-5 model 1200 ballistic recovery parachute system, which was not deployed.
Meteorological Information
At 1555, surface weather at Gillespie County Airport (T82), Fredericksburg, Texas (about 14 miles west), reported wind 070° at 6 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 28°C, dew point 10°C, altimeter 30.11 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane crashed in a soft, sandy field about 3/4 mile southeast of 30TX. The main wreckage was inverted 38 ft from the initial impact point along a 180° heading. Initial impact marks were consistent with the left main landing gear, right main landing gear, and skidding on the belly with left wing impact. Two pieces of engine mounts and one propeller blade were found 20 ft from initial impact. Wings and empennage remained attached to fuselage.
Examination revealed extensive downward and aft buckling and crushing of the aluminum tubular airframe. Numerous overload fractures were observed. The nosewheel was bent and crushed, separated from the landing gear. Left main wheel similarly damaged; right wheel remained attached with intact gear. Propeller hub undamaged. Engine firewall bent aft and down. Cockpit exhibited downward and aft crushing. Empennage intact but tail structure fractured. Left wing spar fractured mid-span; right wing spar intact. Both wing struts buckled.
Cockpit examination showed ignition switches and fuel selector ON; throttle at idle, bent; choke off; RPM gauge at zero; pitch trim near neutral. Fuel system: about 1 quart in each tank; fuel in lines to selector, filter, engine-driven pump, and carburetors; small amount in carburetor bowls. Propeller: one blade separated at hub, intact without impact marks; another blade intact attached; last blade broken mid-span, no leading-edge damage. Flight control continuity established for ailerons, rudder, flaps; elevator control tubes had fracture at bellcrank consistent with overload.
The Rotax 912-UL engine was shipped for examination and test run. It was operational during multiple throttle bursts with no anomalies noted.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy of the pilot performed by the Travis County Office of the Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as blunt force injuries. Toxicology testing by the FAA was negative for carbon monoxide and ethanol. Ranitidine was detected in urine and blood (heart); this medication is used for heartburn and is not considered impairing.