Pilot Debrief

LEACH MICHAEL RANS S7S near Winnemucca, NV — 2022-01-16

Final reportANC22LA013
Sign in to save
Date
2022-01-16
Location
Winnemucca, NV, USA
Airport
WMC
Aircraft
LEACH MICHAEL RANS S7S
Registration
N828S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to ensure the airplane’s wings were free of contaminates before departure.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, before takeoff he noticed a visible layer of frost covering the airplane’s wings. He removed the frost with a towel and proceeded with the engine warm up and preflight checks which lasted about 20 minutes. During the initial climb, the airplane felt “mushy” and failed to gain altitude. The pilot elected to conduct an off-airport landing to a brush covered field. During the landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that the frost must have reformed before takeoff and that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

Related mishaps