# NTSB ERA26LA201: Sky Ranger SKY Ranger 1, N8092S, Front Royal, VA, May 9, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 9, 2026, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Front Royal, VA - Coordinates: 38.9186, -78.253239 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9186&lon=-78.2532&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202959 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202959/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202959 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA201 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in him taking off with the fuel selector in the OFF position, and the subsequent total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sky Ranger SKY RANGER 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=0590279), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Sky Ranger SKY RANGER 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=0590279), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Sky Ranger SKY RANGER 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=0590279), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Sky Ranger SKY RANGER 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0590279), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Sky Ranger SKY RANGER 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0590279), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was preparing to depart and taxied to the runway, completed a magneto check, and commenced the takeoff. Shortly after takeoff, while initiating a left turn, the airplane’s engine lost power. The pilot reported that he searched for a suitable landing area, while continuing the left turn in an attempt to land on a taxiway. During the forced landing, the airplane contacted a fence and a wooden signpost before it struck the ground and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane’s right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He further stated that he had inadvertently left the fuel selector in the OFF position and described that because the fuel selector was located behind the cockpit seats, it was awkward to see and access. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8092S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8092S), registered now, S/N SKR-0125, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SKY RANGER SKY RANGER 1 - Registry model: [Sky Ranger SKY RANGER 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/sky-ranger-sky-ranger-1) (registry code 0590279) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul-series) (registry code 55571, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: SKR-0125 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 986 - Engines: ROTAX 912UL SERIES 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 23, 2025, 22 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: FRR, Front Royal-Warren County, runway 10, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review June 5, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 136 total, 59 in this make and model, 92 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: OKV, 14 nm away - METAR: METAR KOKV 091835Z AUTO 13004KT 10SM CLR 20/08 A2979 ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202959. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20470922&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_LA201_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - pilot interview (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20433626&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Pilot%20SW%20LA201-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20433501&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20inspector%20LA201-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 854 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20433848&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20LA201-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.