- Date
- October 1, 2011, 17:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place
- Riley, KS
- Injuries
- 1 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N2417TSadler Terry Rans S-7 Courier
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Fuel starvation
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 18, 2012
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Central Region
- Parties
- FAA Wichita FSDO
- FAA report
- 20111001024549A
- Case key
- 81969
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and failure to ensure that the fuel shutoff valve was turned on before departure.
Findings · 4
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that he had finished flying for the day and had turned off the fuel shutoff valve and tied the airplane down. He noticed a family with a 10-year-old boy at the airport and offered to give the boy a ride around the field. The pilot untied the airplane, put the boy in the back seat, started the engine, and taxied to the runway. During takeoff, about 30 feet above ground level, the engine stopped and the airplane impacted the ground and obstructions on the edge of the airport. The impact collapsed the left main landing gear and deformed the forward lower fuselage, causing substantial damage. The pilot reported that he had failed to complete a preflight cockpit check and did not turn on the fuel shutoff valve. In addition, the pilot reported that shoulder harnesses were installed and available but were not worn.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that he was finished flying for the day and had turned off the fuel shutoff valve and tied the airplane down. He noticed a family with a 10-year old boy at the airport and offered to give the boy a “quick ride around the field.” The pilot untied the airplane, put the boy in the back seat, started the engine and taxied to the runway. During take-off, about 30 feet above ground level, the engine stopped and the airplane impacted terrain and obstructions on the edge of the airport. The impact collapsed the left main landing gear and deformed the forward lower fuselage causing substantial damage. The pilot reported that he had failed to complete a preflight cockpit check and turn on the fuel shutoff valve. In addition, the pilot reported that shoulder harnesses were installed and available, but were not worn.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2417T
- Reported as
- Sadler Terry Rans S-7 Courier
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 0496185
- Airframe hours
- 186
- Engine
- Rotax 912, 80 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Condition · September 15, 2010 · 14 hours before
- Departed
- 1KS3 · Riley, KS
- Destination
- 1KS3 · Riley, KS
- Flight plan
- Unknown
- Airport
- 1KS3 · Leo's Place Airport, runway 11, 1,100 × 30 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 69
- Injuries
- Serious
- Certificates
- Private, Sport Pilot
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- June 9, 2010
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 900 total · 104 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 75 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.20 inHg
- Observed at
- KMHK, 10 nm away
Docket · 3
The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 28, 2011, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 708 KB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.