# NTSB CEN26LA017: Rans S20, N319WD, Springfield, CO, October 12, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 12, 2025, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Springfield, CO - Coordinates: 37.45929, -102.61822 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4593&lon=-102.6182&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 201839 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201839/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201839 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA017 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff with a right crosswind. ## 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: [West Desert Aviators RANS S-20 RAVEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05641FP), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [West Desert Aviators RANS S-20 RAVEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05641FP), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [West Desert Aviators RANS S-20 RAVEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05641FP), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [West Desert Aviators RANS S-20 RAVEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05641FP), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [West Desert Aviators RANS S-20 RAVEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05641FP), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [West Desert Aviators RANS S-20 RAVEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05641FP), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [West Desert Aviators RANS S-20 RAVEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05641FP), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [West Desert Aviators RANS S-20 RAVEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05641FP), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while taking off from runway 17, the airplane immediately yawed right as soon as the tail came up. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder; however, the airplane drifted to the left and exited the left side of the runway. During the runway excursion, the right landing gear struck a berm. The airplane’s right wing impacted the ground, and the airplane came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported the winds were from 260° at 16 knots and gusting to 24 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N319WD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N319WD), registered now, S/N 06170073, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RANS S20 - Registry model: [West Desert Aviators RANS S-20 RAVEN](https://openairdocs.org/model/west-desert-aviators-rans-s-20-raven) (registry code 05641FP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 915 IS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-915-is-series) (registry code 55620, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 06170073 - Year built: 2022 - Airframe hours: 315 - Engines: Rotax 915is 141 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: West Desert Flight LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 12, 2025 - Destination: UT9, Fairfield, UT - Airport: 8V7, Springfield Muni, runway 17, 5,000 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 28, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,337 total, 1,724 in this make and model, 4,250 as pilot in command, 162 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 13 knots - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: KSPD, 11 nm away - METAR: KSPD 121656Z AUTO 22013KT 24/08 A2976 RMK AO1 SLP013 T02440078= ## 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 20251012019339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251012019339A), Oct 12, 2025: West Desert Aviators RANS S-20 RAVEN, Springfield, CO, Substantial damage. PIC stated that they were hit by a crosswind gust on take off that caused the aircraft to begin yawing right into the path of the airports PAPI system. To… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 13, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201839. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19899665&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 940 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19728591&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.