Amateur-built RANS S-6S accident near Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, March 3, 2010
On March 3, 2010 at about 5:35 pm local time, a amateur-built RANS S-6S, registered N514PM, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (Eugenio Maria De Hostos airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The sport pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing in crosswind conditions resulting in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 3, 2010 · about 5:35 pm local time
- Place
- Mayaguez, Puerto Rico · Eugenio Maria De Hostos · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RANS S-6S
- Registration
- N514PM · no longer on the register · serial 11031532
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The sport pilot was informed by a friend, who had landed at an intermediate airport along their planned route of flight, that there was a heavy crosswind. The friend informed the sport pilot to continue to their destination airport since he had sufficient fuel. The sport pilot elected to make an approach, which resulted in a go-around. The friend advised the sport pilot again to continue to the destination airport. The sport pilot entered a left traffic pattern and made another approach. The friend stated that the pilot’s flare over the runway was fast. The nose of the airplane was observed to pitch up to a 45-degree nose high attitude. The friend instructed the pilot via radio to add power, and he heard an increase in power. The airplane reached about 75 feet above ground level and the airspeed decreased. The airplane stalled, the left wing dropped, the airplane entered a spin to the left and collided with the ground. Review of the pilot's log book revealed he had 48 total flight hours, of which 42.75 hours were with a flight instructor. The pilot had 5.25 hours as pilot-in-command. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly, and associated components revealed no 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
What happened, in order
- Abrupt maneuver during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control in flight during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 48 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 5 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 261 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 14, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: X65 Patillas PR at 4:00 pm
- Destination: TJMZ Mayaguez PR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 4,998 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 4:52 pm from TJMZ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.