Amateur-built RANS S-12 accident near Gum Spring, Virginia, May 16, 1998
On May 16, 1998 at about 5:00 pm local time, a amateur-built RANS S-12, registered N91337, was substantially damaged in an accident near Gum Spring, Virginia (Holly Springs Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loose/partially disconnected engine intake fuel line which resulted in a loss of engine power, and the pilot's delayed (late) flare prior to touchdown.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 16, 1998 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Gum Spring, Virginia · Holly Springs Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RANS S-12
- Registration
- N91337 · no longer on the register · serial 1292361
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After two uneventful flights earlier in the day, the pilot departed on another flight. During the initial climb, approximately 250-300 feet above the runway, the engine sputtered and recovered. A second later the engine sputtered again; however, it did not recover. The pilot said the engine continued to run, but produced 'very little power.' The pilot then executed a 180 degree turn back towards the airport and attempted a forced landing to the runway. He reported that he was able to partially flare just before hitting the surface. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the intake hose which extended from one of the carburetors to the engine was loose and partially disconnected.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 189 hours in all; 71 in this make and model; 139 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 116 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 20, 1998; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 975 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 80VA at 5:30 pm
- Destination: 9W0 Warrenton VA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 2,000 ft by 90 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:54 pm from RIC, 30 miles away
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.
Other NTSB records under N91337 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.