Loss of Control in Flight: Vans RV-9, N235LS; Accident occurred January 15, 2020 at Freeflight International Airport (2FA6), Coleman, Sumter County, Florida

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N235LS

Location: Coleman, Florida

Accident Number: ERA20CA075

Date & Time: January 15, 2020, 12:18 Local

Registration: N235LS

Aircraft: Vans VANS RV 9 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Loss of control in flight 

Injuries: 1 Minor

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private

Age: 67,Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 

Seat Occupied: Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None

Restraint Used: 3-point

Instrument Rating(s): None 

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None 

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: BasicMed Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: April 22, 2019

Occupational Pilot: No 

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: December 11, 2019

Flight Time: 376 hours (Total, all aircraft), 11 hours (Total, this make and model), 307 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 11 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Vans 

Registration: N235LS

Model/Series: VANS RV 9 Undesignated

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 2007

Amateur Built: Yes

Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental light sport (Special)

Serial Number: 90866

Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel

Seats: 2

Date/Type of Last Inspection: December 11, 2019 Condition

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 1000 Hrs as of last inspection 

Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming

ELT: Installed, activated, aided in locating accident

Engine Model/Series: O-235 C1

Registered Owner:

Rated Power: 118 Horsepower

Operator: On file 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KINF,50 ft msl 

Distance from Accident Site: 13 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 12:15 Local

Direction from Accident Site: 272°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear

Visibility:  7 miles

Lowest Ceiling: None

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots / 

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 150° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 30.21 inches Hg 

Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 20°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Coleman, FL (2FA6)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Coleman, FL (2FA6)

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 12:30 Local

Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Freeflight Intl 2FA6 

Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf

Airport Elevation: 55 ft msl

Runway Surface Condition: Vegetation

Runway Used: 02

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 4100 ft / 100 ft

VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 Minor 

Latitude, Longitude: 28.809444,-82.06639(est)