NTSB CAROL · Event
Event FTW89LA056
Registry · N4381G
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
RANS S-12XL
Year of manufacture
2005
Engine
ROTAX 912 (80 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20071202
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A54358
Registrant of record
DUDA EDWARD F
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM DUE TO A LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE DATA AND PROCEDURES.
Factual narrative
THE PRIVATE PILOT PROVIDED NO EVIDENCE OF A GYROPLANE ENDORSEMENT AND WAS UNABLE TO EXPRESS A WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS OR OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A DOWNWIND DEPARTURE WHEN IT MADE AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT TO THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PROPELLER 'JUST STOPPED PUSHING.' THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_1989_FTW89LA056.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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