Amateur-built Rans S-12 accident near Flushing, Michigan, October 29, 2005
On October 29, 2005 at about 2:50 pm local time, a amateur-built Rans S-12, registered N62078, was substantially damaged in an accident near Flushing, Michigan (Dalton airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power on initial climb for undetermined reasons. A factor was the tree the airplane impacted during the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 29, 2005 · about 2:50 pm local time
- Place
- Flushing, Michigan · Dalton · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Rans S-12
- Registration
- N62078 · no longer on the register · serial 0293374
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The experimental amateur-built airplane, piloted by a student pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with trees during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power during initial climbout for a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported minor injuries. The pilot's accident report stated, "Engine failed in climb out within 1/8 mile of end of runway, over trees and housing. ... Larger tree sheered off left wing at leading edge. [Airplane] fell into middle of trees and came to stop on trees and bushes outside airport perimeter." Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 136 hours in all; 34 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 82 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 321 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 1, 2005; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 960 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3DA Flushing MI at 2:55 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.40 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from FNT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.