NTSB Factual Report

On October 11, 2013, at 1700 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Sutphin model Rans S-12 airplane, N8028W, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees while maneuvering near the French Lick Municipal Airport (FRH), French Lick, Indiana. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight that had departed FRH about 1640.

The pilot reported that the accident occurred during a demonstration flight for a potential buyer of the airplane. After a short local area flight, which consisted of several uneventful turns, the pilot decided to return to the airport for a landing. He reported that the airplane started to lose altitude while in a right turn to enter the downwind leg for runway 8. The pilot responded by advancing the engine to maximum power; however, he was unable to arrest the descent or increase airspeed before the airplane collided with a tree. The right wing was substantially damaged during the impact. The pilot reported no preaccident malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation.

The passenger reported that the airplane appeared to lose altitude as the pilot performed a steep right turn over a wooded area southwest of the airport. The passenger reported that the pilot increased engine power after he leveled out of the steep turn; however, the airplane continued to descend into the trees. The airplane came to rest suspended in a tree about 60 feet above the ground. The passenger stated that the engine continued to run at an idle power setting following the accident until the pilot turned off the magneto switches.

A postaccident examination was completed by inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after the wreckage had been recovered from the accident site. The FAA examination confirmed flight control continuity from the individual flight control surfaces to their respective cockpit controls. The fuel tank contained about 3 gallons of fuel and there was fuel in the supply line to the carburetors. An operational engine test run established that there were no mechanical or electrical anomalies with the engine. The FAA examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

The nearest aviation weather reporting station was located at Huntingburg Airport (HNB), Huntingburg, Indiana, about 21 miles southwest of the accident site. At 1655, the HNB automated surface observing system reported: calm wind conditions, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 24 degrees Celsius, dew point 12 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while in a steep turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/mush at a low altitude.