# NTSB GAA15LA025: Spaulding Errol Rans S 7 Courier, N4272M, Pinedale, WY, March 27, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 2015, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Pinedale, WY - Coordinates: 42.586387, -109.561386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5864&lon=-109.5614&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Denver FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90953 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90953/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90953 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15LA025 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to take off in a crosswind that exceeded the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind capability and his subsequent inability to maintain directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Spaulding Errol RANS S-7 COURIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05626KM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Spaulding Errol RANS S-7 COURIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05626KM), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum crosswind component](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Spaulding Errol RANS S-7 COURIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015/cases.md?model=05626KM), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Spaulding Errol RANS S-7 COURIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05626KM), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Spaulding Errol RANS S-7 COURIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05626KM), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Spaulding Errol RANS S-7 COURIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05626KM), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Spaulding Errol RANS S-7 COURIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05626KM), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Spaulding Errol RANS S-7 COURIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05626KM), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he made a precautionary landing on a road to investigate a possible airplane malfunction. During the landing, he noted that the wind was out of the north and about 25 to 35 mph. After troubleshooting, the pilot attempted to take off from the road to the east. According to the airplane manufacturer, the airplane's maximum demonstrated crosswind is 20 knots at 90 degrees. During the takeoff roll, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane, and the airplane departed the road. Subsequently the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted the ground. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 2015 about 1000 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur-built, Rans S-7 airplane, N4272M, lost directional control while attempting to takeoff from a road 25 miles southeast of Pinedale, Wyoming. The pilot was not injured and the sole passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a day, visual flight rules, personal flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Rigby Airport (U56), Rigby, Idaho and was destined to the Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport (RKS), Rock Springs, Wyoming. According to the pilot, after departing U56, he observed the auxiliary fuel transfer pump malfunction. The pilot decided to make a precautionary landing on a road to investigate the malfunction, landing to the east. The pilot reported that the wind during landing was out of the north about 25 to 35 miles per hour. The manufacturer reported that the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the airplane is 20 knots at 90 degrees. After troubleshooting, the fuel pump was determined to be functional, and the pilot attempted to takeoff from the road to the east with a crosswind. During the takeoff roll, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane and the airplane departed the road; subsequently the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar, the lower right fuselage longeron, and the lower left engine mount. The passenger sustained serious injuries. The pilot verified that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4272M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4272M), registered now, S/N 0693110 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SPAULDING ERROL RANS S 7 COURIER (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Spaulding Errol RANS S-7 COURIER](https://openairdocs.org/model/spaulding-errol-rans-s-7-courier) (registry code 05626KM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0693110 - Year built: 1995 - Airframe hours: 3635.4 - Engines: BOMBARDIER ROTAX (ALL) 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Spaulding Errol - Registered owner: Spaulding Errol - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 14, 2014 - Departed: U56, RIGBY, ID - Destination: RKS, ROCK SPRINGS, WY - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review September 10, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,200 total, 3,635 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 16 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KPNA, 17 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 20150327004389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150327004389A), Mar 27, 2015: Spaulding Errol RANS S-7 COURIER, Boulder, WY, Substantial damage. Pilot was enroute to rks from rigby Idaho. Pilot noticed he had less fuel than he thought he should have. The pilot stated he tried to transfer fuel from the… ## Other investigations on N4272M (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR09CA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA225), May 1, 2009: Rans S-7 (N4272M), Atomic City, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel management. ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90953. 12.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426922&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 3, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426923&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Passenger’s Wife) (item 4, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426924&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Passenger%E2%80%99s%20Wife)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Wyoming Highway Patrol) (item 5, .PDF, 261 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Wyoming%20Highway%20Patrol)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Wyoming Highway Patrol) (item 6, .PDF, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426926&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Wyoming%20Highway%20Patrol)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Front of Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Pilot) (item 7, .PDF, 797 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Front%20of%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Engine Mount (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 8.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426928&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Engine%20Mount%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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. --- 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.