ATL03LA080

Factual narrative

On April 19, 2003 at 1830 central daylight time, a Rans S-12, unregistered homebuilt airplane, owned and operated by a non-certificated pilot, collided with high voltage power lines shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip in West Point, Tennessee. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot received fatal injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was originating from West Point, Tennessee, at the time of the accident on April 19, 2003. According to a witness, the pilot was departing to the north under some high voltage power lines which ran northeast to southwest about 50 feet above the ground. After takeoff both wings on airplane had folded upward. The airplane turned northwest and executed a 180-degree turn. As the airplane approached the strip heading southeasterly, it began to bank to the left to align with the strip's southerly heading. As the airplane banked the left wing collided with the utility wires and subsequently collided with the ground at about a 45-degree nose down attitude. The two-place airplane was found 100 feet from the point of wire contact, on the northeast side of the departure end of the airstrip. Examination of the unregistered airplane revealed crush damage to the cockpit area, and the left wing was separated about 18 inches outboard of the wing tip. Further examination of the left wing revealed impression damage. This impression damage corresponded to the structure of the utility wires. The airplane maintenance logbooks were not recovered for examination. The autopsy was performed on the pilot April 20, 2003 at Forensic Medical in Davidson County, Tennessee. The reported cause of death was "multiple blunt force injuries". The toxicology examinations were negative for alcohol and drugs. According to a witness, the pilot was departing to the north under some high voltage power lines which ran northeast to southwest about 50 feet above the ground. After takeoff both wings on airplane had folded upward. The airplane turned northwest and executed a 180-degree turn. As the airplane approached the strip heading southeasterly, it began to bank to the left to align with the strip's southerly heading. As it banked the left wing contacted the wires and the airplane collided with the ground inverted at about a 45-degree nose down attitude. The airplane was found 100 feet from the point of wire contact, on the northeast side of the departure end of the airstrip. Examination of the unregistered airplane revealed crush damage to the cockpit area, and the left wing was separated about 18 inches outboard of the wing tip. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12