Rans S-12 Airaile, N707PH: Fatal accident occurred April 17, 2021 in Colville, Stevens County, Washington

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.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Spokane, Washington

https://registry.faa.gov/N707PH

Location: Colville, WA

Accident Number: WPR21LA161

Date & Time: April 17, 2021, 10:48 Local

Registration: N707PH

Aircraft: RANS S12

Injuries: 2 Fatal

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On April 17, 2021, about 1048 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur built, Rans S-12 light sport airplane, N707PH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Colville, Washington. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

An eyewitness who was in a car on a highway, observed the airplane in flight. He stated that the airplane was flying slow with erratic altitude changes. The airplane then banked hard to the right in the vicinity of power distribution lines (see figure 1) and pitched nosed down to the ground.

Another witness located at a private residence, photographed the airplane as it approached a set of power distribution lines. The last photo taken reveals the airplane in a steep bank angle.

An examination of the accident site revealed the airplane came to rest on an open, sloping field. All airplane components, except for two propeller blades, remained attached. The fuselage and wings sustained substantial damage. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: RANS 

Registration: N707PH

Model/Series: S12 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built: Yes

Operator: On file 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: K63S,1886 ft msl

Observation Time: 10:55 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles

Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C /-2°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: 

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,

Lowest Ceiling: 

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 30.29 inches Hg 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Departure Point: Colville, WA (63S)

Destination: Colville, WA (63S)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries:

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 2 Fatal 

Latitude, Longitude: 48.544987,-117.90085 (est)

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.

COLVILLE, Washington - A light plane went down in a field at 333 Hotchkiss Road and the Colville Fire Department and Stevens County Sheriff's Office personnel arrived minutes later to put out the flames and work at resuscitating the two passengers who was badly injured.

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