NTSB Factual Report

On May 7, 1998, at 1230 central daylight time, a Rans S-9, N5360D, operated by a private pilot collided with the terrain following a loss of control while performing a low level maneuver in Waukee, Iowa. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was destroyed. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed. The originated from DeSoto, Iowa, approximately five minutes prior to the accident.

According to witnesses the pilot was attending the West Central Auto Auction prior to leaving to get his airplane. The receptionist at Air Craft Super Market in DeSoto, Iowa, reported seeing the pilot takeoff in his airplane around 1230 cdt. She reported, "...he did not come into the business, but evidently just went to the hangar got his plane and left possibly in a hurry as I was told by people at West Central he said he would buzz the place, to watch for him." A private pilot who witnessed the accident reported he stepped outside a building when someone told him about an airplane "buzzing" the parking lot. He stated the airplane was heading southwest across the parking lot at an altitude of about 60 feet above the ground (agl) when it entered a left descending 60 degree bank turn. He continued to report it appeared that the pilot attempted to "...pull the nose of the aircraft up, stalled and made a left corkscrew into the ground." Another witness reported seeing the airplane approach from the southwest at an altitude of about 100 feet agl before it made a 180 degree turn back to the southwest. He reported the airplane then entered a left turn and descended from an altitude of about 50 feet agl. This witness reported hearing engine noise during the descent.

The post accident inspection of the airplane was conducted by an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards District Office in Des Moines, Iowa. The inspector reported that the airplane impacted the terrain in a nose low attitude. He reported that flight control continuity was established although movement of the flight controls was restricted due to impact damage. The throttle control and the pitch trim control levers were found in the full forward positions which correlated to full throttle and full nose down trim. The elevator trim tab position corresponded to full nose down trim. The engine was turned over by hand and compression was noted. Both fuel tanks were ruptured during the impact and fuel was seen "pouring" from the fuel tanks.

The pilot received his Private Pilot Certificate on March 1, 1998. According to copies of his logbook he had a total flight time of 88.9 hours as of May 4, 1998. These records did not show any flight time in Rans S-9 airplanes. The pilot held a Third Class medical certificate issued on September 29, 1997, with no limitations.

According to records maintained by Rans the original kitplane was purchased in 1988. According to FAA records show the airplane received an Experimental Airworthiness Certificate on October 20, 1988. The registration number on the airplane at this time was N5360D. On October 10, 1991, the airplane was sold to another individual. This individual completed an Aircraft Registration Application on October 21, 1992, listing the registration number as N5360D. FAA records show ownership of the airplane changed two additional times. Once on March 22, 1994, then again on November 11, 1995. There is no record of Aircraft Registration Applications having been completed by the last two owners. N5360D did receive another Experimental Airworthiness Certificate on September 11, 1996. There was no record of the accident pilot having purchased the airplane. There was no registration number on the airplane at the time of the accident. FAA records the registration number was still associated with this airplane and it had not been retired.

An autopsy on the pilot was performed by the Polk County Medical Examiner on May 8, 1998. Toxicological test conducted by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute were negative for all substances tested.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in a stall while performing intentional buzzing maneuvers.