# NTSB CHI96LA164: Schlitter Rans S6ES Coyote II, N4307N, Hays, KS, May 18, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1996, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Hays, KS
- Coordinates: 38.870716, -99.309196 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8707&lon=-99.3092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 3, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10251
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10251/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA164

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, when it settled back to the runway after lift-off.  A factor relating to the accident was: premature raising of the flaps after lift-off.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - object - wall/barricade

## Analysis

The pilot reported that after taking off from runway 16, he partially retracted the wing flaps. After reducing the flaps, the airplane stalled, and settled back onto the runway. It then departed the runway to the east and impacted a concrete wall. The pilot did not report any airplane or engine malfunction.

## Factual narrative

On May 18, 1996, at 0700 central daylight time (cdt), a experimental Rans S6ES Coyote II, N4307N, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a concrete wall along the east side of runway 16, during takeoff, from the Hays Airport, Hays, Kansas.  The private pilot of the 14 CFR Part 91 flight, and the passenger were uninjured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported on the NTSB form 6120.1/2, that the wing flaps were set at approximately 20 degrees for takeoff.  After takeoff, the wing flaps were partially retracted by one notch.  He reported that after retracting the flaps the airplane stalled, and settled back onto the runway.  After settling back onto the runway the aircraft departed the runway to the east.  The pilot did not report any airplane or engine malfunctions.

Aircraft damage was reported as a crushed firewall, a broken windshield, bent wing lift struts, and a bent right wing.  The airplane's left wing spar was broken, and the left horizontal and left elevator were sheared off.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4307N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4307N), registered now, S/N 0491183, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHLITTER RANS S6ES COYOTE II (RANS S6ES)
- Registry model: [Schlitter Randy J RANS S6ES COYOTE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/schlitter-randy-j-rans-s6es-coyote-ii) (registry code 05618A7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0491183
- Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Randy J Schlitter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: HYS
- Destination: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Airport: HYS, Hays, runway 16, 6,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 166 total, 59 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HYS

## 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 19960518010799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960518010799A), May 18, 1996: Amtr RANSS6, Hays, KS, Substantial damage. Retracted flaps on climbout. Stalled. Settled. Veered off runway. Hit concrete wall. Severed wing and tail.

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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