# NTSB CHI08CA086: Rans S-4 Coyote I, N215LY, Lakeville, MN, February 23, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 23, 2008, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Lakeville, MN - Coordinates: 44.627777, -93.228057 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6278&lon=-93.2281&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 67624 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67624/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA086 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. Factors included the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of the airplane and the crosswind gust. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans S-4 COYOTE I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0590205), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans S-4 COYOTE I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=0590205), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans S-4 COYOTE I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0590205), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans S-4 COYOTE I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=0590205), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Rans S-4 COYOTE I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0590205), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rans S-4 COYOTE I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0590205), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he intended to takeoff in the tai wheel-equipped airplane from runway 12 and remain in the traffic pattern. During the takeoff roll, the pilot put in full right aileron and held the elevator at a neutral position. He reported that he positioned the rudder "to maintain course on the longitudinal axis of the runway." He reported that during takeoff rotation, the airplane encountered a 5 - 7 knot right crosswind gust of wind which lifted the right wing up about 45 - 60 degrees in less than 1 second. The airplane veered to the left 45 degrees. The pilot reported that he attempted to use elevator and rudder inputs, but they "produced little or no response." The airplane veered further left, lost altitude, and impacted terrain. The right main landing gear collapsed and the tailwheel tail spring was bent left, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot indicated that he had a total of 190 flight hours with 1 hour in make and model. The pilot reported there was no mechanical malfunction or failure. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he intended to takeoff in the tail wheel equipped airplane from runway 12 and remain in the traffic pattern. During the takeoff roll, the pilot put in full right aileron and held the elevator at a neutral position. He reported that he positioned the rudder "to maintain course on the longitudinal axis of the runway." He reported that during takeoff rotation, the airplane encountered a 5 - 7 knot right crosswind gust of wind which lifted the right wing up about 45 - 60 degrees in less than 1 second. The airplane veered to the left 45 degrees. The pilot reported that he attempted to use elevator and rudder inputs, but they "produced little or no response." The airplane veered further left, lost altitude, and impacted terrain. The right main landing gear collapsed and the tail wheel tail spring was bent left, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot indicated that he had a total of 190 flight hours with 1 hour in make and model. The pilot reported there was no mechanical malfunction or failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N215LY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N215LY-2008-03-17), registration cancelled 2008-03-17, S/N 00299, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RANS S-4 Coyote I - Registry model: [Rans S-4 COYOTE I](https://openairdocs.org/model/rans-s-4-coyote-i) (registry code 0590205) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 00299 - Engines: Rotax 503 DCDI 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James W. Barker - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: LVN, Lakeville, MN - Airport: LVN, Airlake Airport, runway 12 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; medical: class 3; flight hours: 190 total, 1 in this make and model, 190 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## 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 20080223832459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080223832459A), Feb 23, 2008: Amtr RANSS4, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) Following a practice landing in a conventional gear aircraft the pilot in command powered up N215LY (ranz coyote S-4) for takeoff intending to remain in… 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.