# NTSB LAX98LA177: Rans S6EX Coyote II, N6179A, Delano, CA, May 30, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1998, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Delano, CA
- Coordinates: 35.77917, -119.229682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7792&lon=-119.2297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30102/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA177

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, failure to maintain directional control, and his failure to maintain aircraft control

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

During landing, the aircraft encountered a sudden wind gust, the effects of which the pilot failed to control.  The results were a wing tip drag, a lateral runway departure, and a subsequent noseover.

## Factual narrative

On May 30, 1998, at 1100 hours Pacific daylight time, a homebuilt RANS S6EX Coyote II, N6179A, was substantially damaged when it drug a wing and nosed over during landing on runway 14 at Delano, California, airport.  The private pilot and one passenger were not injured and there was no property damage.

In his accident report, the pilot stated that, as the aircraft was touching down, he encountered a strong wind gust that lifted the right wing and he was unable to correct the upset before the left wing contacted the ground.  The surface wind at the time of landing was reported as 140 degrees magnetic at 4 knots with random gusts to 15 knots.  The pilot also stated that there was no mechanical problem with the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6179A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6179A-2013-08-28), registration cancelled 2013-08-28, S/N 0493472, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rans S6EX COYOTE II (S6EX COYOT)
- Registry model: [Aune Thomas R S6ES COYOTE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/aune-thomas-r-s6es-coyote-ii) (registry code 05623P8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0493472
- Airframe hours: 188
- Engines: Rotax 4400817 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bruce W. Sproles
- Registered owner: Thomas R. Aune
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 24, 1997, 30 hours before
- Departed: TCY, TRACY, CA
- Destination: DLO, DELANO, CA
- Airport: DLO, Delano Municipal, runway 14, 5,650 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 141 total, 47 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19980530011469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980530011469A), May 30, 1998: Amtr S6ESCOYOTEII, Delano, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) Bounced landing tried recover. Wind gust lifted wing other hit ground cartwheeled and flipped over. (.4) during landing, the aircraft encountered a…

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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