April 3, 2012, Mesa, Ariz., Rans S-12 Experimental

At about 0742 Mountain time, the airplane impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The commercial pilot and non-certificated pilot/owner were fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses reported they heard the engine lose partial power when it was about 200-300 feet agl. The airplane made a sharp right-hand turn, which appeared to the witnesses as if the pilot was attempting to return to the airport, and the airplane’s nose suddenly dropped.

Editorial Staff

Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

An airplane crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in two fatalities (commercial pilot and non-certificated pilot/owner) and substantial damage to the aircraft.
Witnesses reported the engine lost partial power when the airplane was about 200-300 feet above ground level.
The aircraft made a sharp right-hand turn, appearing to be an attempt to return to the airport, before its nose suddenly dropped and it descended straight down.

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Witnesses reported they heard the engine lose partial power when it was about 200-300 feet agl. The airplane made a sharp right-hand turn, which appeared to the witnesses as if the pilot was attempting to return to the airport, and the airplane’s nose suddenly dropped. Subsequently, the airplane descended straight down and impacted the terrain below.