# NTSB CEN21LA292: Curnutt Elton E SKY Ranger B, N7714E, Ellicott, CO, June 27, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 27, 2021, 10:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Ellicott, CO
- Coordinates: 38.914, -104.443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9140&lon=-104.4430&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Denver FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103351
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA292
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103351/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103351
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA292

## Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of control while maneuvering at low altitude.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Curnutt Elton E SKY RANGER B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05621H4), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Curnutt Elton E SKY RANGER B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05621H4), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Curnutt Elton E SKY RANGER B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05621H4), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Curnutt Elton E SKY RANGER B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05621H4), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported the flight’s purpose was to fly “low and slow” over the riverbed for a ceremony. During a left turn initiated about 250 ft above ground level, the pilot noticed a sink rate develop. The pilot applied full power, but the sink rate continued, and the airplane struck a tree that resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7714E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7714E-2023-06-26), registration cancelled 2023-06-26, S/N SKR 0503 573, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CURNUTT ELTON E SKY RANGER B
- Registry model: [Curnutt Elton E SKY RANGER B](https://openairdocs.org/model/curnutt-elton-e-sky-ranger-b) (registry code 05621H4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: SKR 0503 573
- Year built: 2005
- Airframe hours: 682
- Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Curnutt David L
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, June 28, 2020, 19 hours before
- Departed: KFLY, Peyton, CO
- Destination: KFLY, Peyton, CO
- Equipment: ADS-B, Airframe parachute

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review July 16, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 662 total, 662 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observed at: KABH, 8 nm away
- METAR: KABH 271558Z AUTO 34005KT 10SM SCT070 OVC100 16/08 A3028 RMK AO2 SLP206 T01580078

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20210627008619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210627008619A), Jun 27, 2021: Curnutt Elton E SKY RANGER B, Falcon, CO, Substantial damage. Plane entered left turn and started to slide left while losing altitude. Pilot increased throttle to correct condition. Aircraft continued to sink until planes…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103351. 4.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12507890&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of correspondence with pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12679010&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Correspondence%20with%20Pilot-Rel.pdf
- Photo of airplane at accident site (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 345 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12508082&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20of%20Airplane-Rel.pdf

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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