The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Cleveland, OhioLocation: Wadsworth, OH
Accident Number: CEN21FA426
Date & Time: September 18, 2021, 18:45 Local
Registration: N6915G
Aircraft: RANS S20
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Flight test
On September 18, 2021, about 1845 eastern daylight time, a Rans S-20 airplane, N6915G, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Wadsworth, Ohio. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The Wadsworth Municipal (3G3) airport surveillance camera captured the accident sequence on video. A preliminary review of the video revealed a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter and the accident airplane both utilizing runway 2. The helicopter was on the approach to runway 2, while the accident airplane had taxied to the end of the runway. Shortly after the helicopter passed the airplane, the airplane taxied onto the runway and started its takeoff roll. Moments later, just after the airplane became airborne, the airplane rolled inverted and impacted the runway. The airplane did not appear to contact the helicopter. A post-crash fire engulfed the airplane.
According to the helicopter pilot, and while the helicopter was on the approach to the runway, the airplane pilot contacted him via the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) and requested that the helicopter side-step to the taxiway so that the airplane could depart.
A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted on the runway and was mostly consumed by the fire.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: RANS
Registration: N6915G
Model/Series: S20
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: KBJJ,1137 ft msl
Observation Time: 18:56 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C /17°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 20°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Wadsworth, OH
Destination: Wadsworth, OH
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 41.004559,-81.755136 (est)
Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.
Owner/pilot commented on Facebook post last April, shortly after receiving airworthiness certificate, about possibly being over the gross weight limit.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/273310036468863/permalink/1166864660446725/?comment_id=1166890820444109
NO, you completely misunderstood the comment. He was referring to his aircraft's empty weight after completing the build. EAB builders strive to keep it as light as possible. He simply came in a little heavier than expected. The gross weight limit of this airplane is 1320 lbs.
Delete