Rans S-4 COYOTE I N215LY

Summary

On 23 February 2008 at about 21:30 local time, a Rans S-4 COYOTE I registered N215LY was involved in an accident near Lakeville, Minnesota, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 February 2008 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Lakeville, Minnesota, United States

Nearest airport

Airlake Airport (LVN)

Coordinates

44.6278, -93.2281

Aircraft

Rans S-4 COYOTE I

Registration

N215LY

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lakeville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI08CA086

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. Factors included the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of the airplane and the crosswind gust.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he intended to takeoff in the tai wheel-equipped airplane from runway 12 and remain in the traffic pattern. During the takeoff roll, the pilot put in full right aileron and held the elevator at a neutral position. He reported that he positioned the rudder "to maintain course on the longitudinal axis of the runway." He reported that during takeoff rotation, the airplane encountered a 5 - 7 knot right crosswind gust of wind which lifted the right wing up about 45 - 60 degrees in less than 1 second. The airplane veered to the left 45 degrees. The pilot reported that he attempted to use elevator and rudder inputs, but they "produced little or no response." The airplane veered further left, lost altitude, and impacted terrain. The right main landing gear collapsed and the tailwheel tail spring was bent left, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot indicated that he had a total of 190 flight hours with 1 hour in make and model. The pilot reported there was no mechanical malfunction or failure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.