Falcon Field Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Mesa, Arizona 85215
Tuesady, April 3, 2012 7:42 MST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

Witnesses reported that shortly after takeoff, the airplane was about 200 to 300 feet above the ground when it made a sudden right turn and banked about 90 degrees. Some witnesses reported that they heard a reduction in engine power just before the right turn followed by an increase in engine power. During the turn, the airplane appeared to stall and enter a spin. The airplane impacted terrain and a fire ensued. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude shortly after takeoff.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 4/3/2012
Event Day of the Week Tuesday
Time of Event 742
Event Time Zone Mountain Standard Time
Event City Mesa
Event State ARIZONA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 85215
Event Date Year 2012
Event Date Month 4
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 332739N
Event Location Longitude 1114342W
Event Location Airport Falcon Field Airport
Event Location Nearest Airport ID FFZ
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport On Airport
Distance from airport in statute miles 1
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 1394
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 747 Mountain Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 232
Weather Observation Facility ID FFZ
Elevation of weather observation facility 1394
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 1
Time Zone of the weather observation MST
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 40
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 13
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) -9
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 30
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 5
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29.98
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report At 0747 the weather reporting station located on F
Event Highest Injury Fatal
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal 2
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 2
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 31219
NTSB Notification Source FAA ROC
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Apr 17 2013 6:42PM
User who most recently changed record stam
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N586BN
NTSB Number WPR12LA152
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire Ground
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name NELSON
Aircraft Model RANS S-12
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 119147
Certified Max Gross Weight 1300
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? Yes
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Unknown
Date of Last Inspection --
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours --
ELT Installed No
ELT Activated Unknown
ELT Aided Location of Event Site Unknown
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name HAZEL MICHAEL D
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City MESA
Aircraft Owner State AZ
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 85213-1755
Operator is an individual? Yes
Operator Name VAUGHAN DAVIS L
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? No
Operator Street Address --
Operator City MESA
Operator State AZ
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 85213-7017
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code FFZ
Departure City Mesa
Departure State AZ
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 742
Departure Time Zone MST
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code FFZ
Destination City Mesa
Destination State AZ
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Apr 17 2013 6:43PM
User who most recently changed record stam
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 04R
Runway Length 5101
Runway Width 100
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --