National Transportation Safety Board

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report

Location: Fletcher, NC Accident Number: ERA19FA200

Date & Time: 06/26/2019, 1030 EDT Registration: N661PF
Aircraft: RANS S6 Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

On June 26, 2019, about 1030 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Rans S-
6S, N661PF, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near the Six Oaks Airport (NC67),
Fletcher, North Carolina. The commercial pilot and flight instructor were fatally injured. The
airplane was registered to and operated by PF Flyers Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 Code
of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Day visual meteorological conditions
prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.

According to the owner of the airplane, the commercial pilot had asked to use the accident
airplane for the purpose of a flight review. The owner reported that the commercial pilot had
flown the airplane the day prior to the accident about the same time of day and he did not
report any issues with the airplane. The owner reported that the airplane was topped off with
non-ethanol automobile gas the day prior to the accident.

According to a witness, who was also a private pilot, he reported that he was in his truck and
observed the accident airplane flying "erratic." He pulled his truck over at a gas station, which
was about 1/2-mile from the accident site, and subsequently observed the airplane enter two
"cascading [aerodynamic] stalls" and then enter a "classic spin." The airplane completed one
and a half turns in the spin, before it descended out of his view. He further reported he could
not hear the engine, as the windows in his truck were closed.

A Garmin 496 GPS device was found at the accident site. Preliminary data from the accident
flight containing flight track, GPS altitude, time, heading, and groundspeed information were
extracted from the unit. The recorded data began at 0955:25 and at 1004, groundspeed and
GPS altitude data consistent with a takeoff from runway 6 at NC67 was recorded. The flight
track then showed the airplane flying about 7 miles northeast of NC67, where the airplane
performed a variety of maneuvers and then navigated back to NC67. At 1022, the flight track
showed the airplane complete a series of spiral descending turns, enter the left downwind leg
of the traffic pattern, and land on runway 24 about 1025.

At 1026:08, data consistent with another takeoff on runway 6 was recorded. The data
continued and revealed that the airplane gained about 500 ft in altitude, climbing northeast,
about 57-65 knots groundspeed. At 1027:57, the groundspeed decreased to 49 knots, then 7

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This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
seconds later a groundspeed of 10 knots was recorded, and subsequently the GPS altitude
decreased rapidly. The last data point recorded was at 10:28:38 and the location was about 10
ft from the main wreckage site.

The initial impact point was located in a flat open cow pasture about 65 ft from the main
wreckage and the wreckage path was oriented on a 070° heading. Fragments of propeller and
engine cowling were co-located with the initial impact point. The airplane sustained extensive
impact damage and came to rest upright on a heading of 245°, partially laying on its right side,
with a portion of the left wing elevated above the fuselage. There was no evidence of fire.

All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site, and flight control
continuity was established from all flight control surfaces to the cockpit area. The left flap was
found retracted, and the right flap was found partially extended. The left wing fuel tank was
found empty, the tank was not breached, and the left fuel cap remained installed tight. When
low pressure air was blown through the forward and aft fuel ports, air flowed freely. The right-
wing fuel tank was full and the fuel cap was found installed tight. When the forward and aft
right tank fuel ports were cut by recovery personnel, fuel flowed freely. A sample of fuel from
the right tank appeared unremarkable with no debris observed and it tested negative for water
when water finding paste was submerged in the fuel sample.

The cockpit section sustained significant impact damage. The two seats remained attached to
the airframe. The seatbelts and shoulder harnesses had been cut by first responders. The flap
handle was found in the "first notch" (first position from retracted). The airspeed indicator
read 0 knots. The g-meter instrument had three indicator needles. The first needle indicated
3/4 positive G's. The second needle indicated negative 2.5 G's, and the third needle indicated
negative 4 G's.

The throttle lever was found full forward. The engine choke lever was stowed. All circuit
breakers were found in. The trim indicator needle was found in the takeoff position. The
ignition switches were both found in the on position by the first responders and were moved to
off during their activities. The on/off fuel shut off valve (SOV) was found on and was moved to
off by the first responders. Low pressure air was blown through the fuel SOV with the valve
open, and air flowed freely.

The engine remained attached to the firewall and sustained impact damage. During an engine
examination, the crankshaft was rotated by hand and valve train continuity was established. All
cylinders remained attached to the crankcase and thumb compression and suction was
attained on all cylinders. All spark plugs were removed and displayed normal operating and
combustion signatures. The left and right carburetors remained intact. When both were
opened, fuel was observed inside the bowls and no debris was found. The propeller hub
contained fragment splinters of the propeller blades, and the majority of the blades had
separated from the hub.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airmen records, the pilot receiving the
flight review held a commercial pilot certificate with rating for airplane single and multi-engine
land, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate with ratings for
airplane single and multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. He was issued an FAA second-

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This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
class medical certificate on February 27, 2018. At that time, the pilot reported civil flight
experience that included 13,560 total hours.

Review of his most recent logbook revealed that he accumulated 18 hours of flight time in the
past 30 days, 37 hours in the past 90 days, and 72 hours in the past 6 months. In the past two
years, the logbook contained 3.3 hours of flight time in the accident airplane. His most recent
flight review was completed in June 2018 with a different flight instructor than he was flying
with for the accident flight review.

According to FAA airmen records, the flight instructor providing the flight review held a
commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multi-engine land, and
instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single
and multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. The pilot completed the Basic Medical
certification on September 4, 2018. He was issued an FAA special issuance third-class medical
certificate on September 28, 2017. At that time, the pilot reported civil flight experience that
included 8,500 total hours.

Review of his most recent logbook revealed that he accumulated 8.7 hours of flight experience
in the past 30 days, 25 hours in the past 90 days, and 56 hours in the past 6 months. His most
recent flight review was completed in July 2018. Review of the pilot's logbooks dating back to
the accident airplane's manufacturer date of 2007 revealed the pilot had not logged any flights
in the airplane. The owner of the airplane also reported he was unaware of any flight time that
the flight instructor proving the flight review had in the accident airplane.

The single-engine high-wing airplane was powered by a Rotax 912 UL four-cylinder engine,
that drove a Warp Drive fixed pitch propeller. According to airplane maintenance records, a
condition inspection was completed on June 10, 2019. At the time of inspection, the Hobbs
meter indicated 158.8 hours. The Hobbs meter read 161.4 when viewed at the accident site.

The 1054 the weather conditions reported at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), Asheville,
North Carolina, about 5 miles southwest of the accident site, included visibility 10 miles, clear
skies, wind 350° at 10 knots, temperature 25°C, dew point 16°C, barometric pressure 30.26
inches of mercury.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

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This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: RANS Registration: N661PF
Model/Series: S6 S Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: PF Flyers Inc. Operating Certificate(s) None
Held:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAVL, 2162 ft msl Observation Time: 1054 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: 25°C / 16°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 10 knots / , 350°
Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.26 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Fletcher, NC (NC67) Destination: Fletcher, NC (NC67)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Fatal Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal Latitude, Longitude: 35.475278, -82.435833
Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Adam M Gerhardt
Additional Participating Persons: Lorri Orlowski; FAA/ FSDO; Charlotte, NC
Note: The NTSB traveled to the scene of this accident.

Page 4 of 4 ERA19FA200
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.