# NTSB ERA26LA277: Rans S-6-S, N528MW, Morgan, VT, July 20, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 20, 2026, 08:12 local (12:12 UTC) - Place: Morgan, VT - Coordinates: 44.89621, -71.9879 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8962&lon=-71.9879&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 1, 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): 203434 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA277 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203434/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203434 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA277 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with water. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Wagner Mark S-6-S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=056130D), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wagner Mark S-6-S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056130D), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: glassy surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Wagner Mark S-6-S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md?model=056130D), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Wagner Mark S-6-S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=056130D), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Wagner Mark S-6-S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=056130D), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that he was attempting to take off from a glassy water surface. The pilot had trouble getting the airplane “unstuck” from the water surface, so he pulled back on the control stick “extra hard.” This action broke the floats free from the surface tension but created a nose-high pitch attitude that resulted in the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall. The left float then impacted the water and it broke loose from the airplane before striking the underside of the left wing, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The airplane came to rest upright but slowly began to sink. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N528MW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N528MW), registered now, S/N 11981279-5, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RANS S-6-S (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Wagner Mark S-6-S](https://openairdocs.org/model/wagner-mark-s-6-s) (registry code 056130D) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 11981279-5 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 649 - Engines: ROTAX 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 2002, 9 hours before - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,868 total, 174 in this make and model, 1,868 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: EFK, 18 nm away - METAR: METAR KEFK 201155Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 15/11 A2994 RMK AO2 T01470113 10154 20085= ## 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 20260720009209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260720009209A), Jul 20, 2026: Wagner Mark S-6-S, Morgan, VT, Substantial damage. On July 20, 2026, at approximately 0800 local time, a rans S-6S aircraft (registration N528MW) was attempting a water takeoff from lake seymour in Morgan, VT,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203434. 6.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20825608&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 410 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20826146&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-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.