# NTSB CHI06CA102: Martin Rans S-7 Courier, N22220, Ray, MI, March 29, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 29, 2006, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Ray, MI
- Coordinates: 42.737499, -82.889999
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7375&lon=-82.8900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Detroit-FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63673
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63673/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA102

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power and fire for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- Fire, standing
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during takeoff, when the airplane was about 25 feet above ground level, the engine lost power.  He stated that he landed the airplane and then exited and walked around the airplane.  He stated that when he came to the nose area of the airplane, flames were emanating from the cowl.  He stated that he moved to a safe distance and the airplane was subsequently consumed by the fire.  Subsequent examination of the airplane failed to reveal the source of the fire or the reason for the loss of engine power.

## Factual narrative

On March 29, 2006, about 1150 eastern standard time, an amateur-built Martin Rans S-7 Courier, N22220, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed by fire following a forced landing subsequent to a loss of engine power.  The airplane was on initial climb after takeoff from runway 27 (2,500 feet by 60 feet, asphalt), at the Ray Community Airport, Ray, Michigan, when the loss of power occurred.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The pilot was not injured.  The local flight was originating at the time the accident occurred.

The pilot reported that after performing a preflight examination and run-up of the airplane, he started his takeoff.  He stated that when the airplane was about 25 feet above ground level, the engine quit.  He stated that he landed the airplane and then exited and walked around the airplane.  He stated that when he came to the nose area of the airplane, flames were emanating from the cowl.  He stated that he moved to a safe distance and the airplane was subsequently consumed by the fire.

Subsequent examination of the airplane failed to reveal the source of the fire or the reason for the loss of engine power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22220](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22220-2007-12-01), registration cancelled 2007-12-01, S/N 1293124, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Martin RANS S-7 COURIER
- Registry model: [Martin Timothy R RANS S-7 COURIER](https://openairdocs.org/model/martin-timothy-r-rans-s-7-courier) (registry code 05625GK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1293124
- Engines: Rotax 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: Ray, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; flight hours: 670 total, 30 in this make and model, 670 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20060329005949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060329005949A), Mar 29, 2006: Amtr RANSS7, New Haven, MI, Destroyed. (-23) On 03-29-2006 at approximately 1150 EST, N22220, a rans S-7, piloted by [privacy data omitted] departed runway 27 at ray community airport, ray, MI…

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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