Pinedale, WY, USA
N4272M
SPAULDING ERROL RANS S 7 COURIER
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.
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.
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.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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