Accident Details
On August 26, 2024, at approximately 0841 central daylight time, a Rans S-19 airplane, registration N519JR, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Crofton, Nebraska. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Pilot Communication
Around 0830, while over Yankton, South Dakota, the pilot made a telephone call to a friend to inquire about weather and airport options. The pilot stated he was unable to land in Yankton due to weather, as he did not hold an instrument rating. The friend suggested heading southwest approximately 77 nautical miles to Albion, Nebraska, where the automated weather reporting indicated Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions were possible. The pilot seemed calm during the call and did not mention being in instrument meteorological conditions. Following the conversation, the friend sent a text message at 0842 noting that weather in Columbus, Nebraska, was also VFR.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, weather conditions varied significantly between locations. The 0835 Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS) at Albion Municipal Airport (BVN) reported clear skies and 10 miles visibility. The 0856 AWOS at Columbus Municipal Airport (OLU) reported similar clear weather. However, the 0825 AWOS at Yankton Chan Gurney Municipal Airport (YKN), located about 13 miles from the accident site, reported a broken ceiling at 200 ft above ground level (AGL) with visibility of ¼ mile in fog and light rain.
First responders at the accident site reported fog with visibility of about 50 ft. Law enforcement dash camera footage at 0946 showed a cloud ceiling of approximately 260 ft AGL, based on comparison to a nearby wind turbine. A Meteorological Evaluation Tower (MET) located about 0.6 nautical miles southwest of the site recorded 100% humidity at 247 ft AGL from 0340 to 1140.
Wreckage Information
The accident site was in a gently rolling agricultural field about 13 nautical miles southwest of Yankton, South Dakota. Impact marks and debris were consistent with the airplane striking the terrain in a left wing low, nose down attitude. The debris field measured about 200 ft in length on a heading of approximately 023°. Additional cockpit-related debris was found about 500 ft beyond the main wreckage.
The main wreckage consisted of the rear fuselage, empennage, and both wings. The forward fuselage with the engine attached was found in a vertical orientation within a shallow crater. Both wing fuel tanks were separated from the wing structure, exhibiting fractures consistent with liquid hydraulic deformation.
Inspection of the wind turbine by a company representative showed no evidence of airplane strike damage or witness marks on the tower or blades. A Garmin GPSMAP 496 handheld device was recovered about 500 ft from the main wreckage and retained for further examination.