# NTSB ERA11LA301: Leigh S-6 Coyote II, N929RL, New Kent, VA, May 15, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 2011, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: New Kent, VA
- Coordinates: 37.559444, -77.006385
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5594&lon=-77.0064&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79104
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA301
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79104/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79104
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA301

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Findings

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

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Rans S-6 COYOTE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05901PL), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Rans S-6 COYOTE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05901PL), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Rans S-6 COYOTE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05901PL), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Rans S-6 COYOTE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05901PL), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Rans S-6 COYOTE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05901PL), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that after takeoff he climbed to 1,000 feet and flew along a river to his destination. The flight continued beyond his estimated time of arrival as he tried to identify landmarks. He then reduced power and looked for a suitable landing site to check the fuel because the fuel gauge indicated that between zero and 1/4 of his fuel reserves remained. He initiated an approach to a field for a precautionary landing, but noticed that it was not suitable and he began to climb out when the engine lost power. He executed a 180-degree northerly turn and lined up for a forced landing in a field with standing water. While flying at 45 to 50 knots with the first notch of flaps lowered, he noticed a power line and applied aft elevator control input to avoid it. After clearing the power line, the nose of the airplane dropped and the airplane impacted the field. The right main landing gear wheel assembly dug into soft ground, causing the right main landing gear wheel assembly to separate. Postaccident inspection of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Six gallons of fuel were found in the fuel tank. The engine was started without a propeller installed and operated satisfactorily, but a prolonged run could not be performed due to breach of the engine coolant system. No determination could be made as to the reason for the loss of engine power.

## Factual narrative

**This report and case number were modified on 8/25/2011. Please see the docket for this accident for the original report.** On May 15, 2011, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Leigh S6 Coyote II, N929RL, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near New Kent, Virginia. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from Toddsbury Farm Airport (25VA), Aylett, Virginia and was destined for New Quarter Farm Airport (92VA), Gloucester, Virginia. The pilot stated that after takeoff, the flight climbed to 1,000 feet and he flew along the Mattonapi River to his destination. The flight continued, and he flew by pilotage past his estimated time of arrival trying to identify landmarks. He reduced power, and looked for a suitable landing place to check the fuel because the fuel gauge was bouncing between empty and 1/4 capacity. He initiated an approach to a field for a precautionary landing, but noticed it was not suitable and "slowly eased the throttle in" to climb, but the engine quit. He executed a 180 degree turn towards a northerly direction, and lined up for a forced landing in a field with standing water. While flying at 45 to 50 knots with the first notch of flaps lowered, he noticed a single phase power line associated with a house. Not wanting to hit the power line he applied aft elevator control input, cleared the power line, then the nose of the airplane dropped and the airplane impacted into the field. The right main landing gear wheel assembly dug into soft ground causing the right main landing gear wheel assembly to separate. He unfastened his restraint and evacuated the airplane. Postaccident inspection of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Six gallons of fuel were found in the fuel tank. The engine was started without a propeller installed and operated satisfactory but a prolonged run could not be performed due to breach of the engine coolant system. No determination could be made as to the reason for the loss of engine power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N929RL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N929RL-2018-04-04), registration cancelled 2018-04-04, S/N 0690124, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Leigh S-6 COYOTE II
- Registry model: [Rans S-6 COYOTE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/rans-s-6-coyote-ii) (registry code 05902OB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0690124
- Airframe hours: 160
- Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Daniel Brandmahl
- Registered owner: Daniel Brandmahl
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, October 27, 2010, 118 hours before
- Departed: 25VA, Aylett, VA
- Destination: 92VA, Gloucester, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; seat: left; flight hours: 1,900 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.57 inHg
- Observed at: JGG, 24 nm away

## 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 20110515012209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110515012209A), May 15, 2011: Rans Aircraft S-6 COYOTE II, New Kent, VA, Substantial damage. On 05/15/2011, at approximately 10:30 am pilot departed toddsbury farm airport (25VA) in aylett, VA in N929RL, a two seat Rans S-6 coyote ii experimental light…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79104. 1.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 560 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350151&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348520&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 280 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Record of NTSB Conversation (item 4, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350293&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversation-Redacted.PDF
- Postaccident Engine Inspection Results (item 5, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350243&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Postaccident%20Engine%20Inspection%20Results-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View of the Airplane at the Accident Site. (item 6, .PDF, 377 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350244&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20of%20the%20Airplane%20at%20the%20Accident%20Site.-Master.PDF
- Original Factual Report (item 7, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352991&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Original%20Factual%20Report-Master.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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