Amateur-built RANS S 7 accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 30, 2016
On July 30, 2016 at about 4:47 pm local time, a 1997 amateur-built RANS S 7, registered N6271X, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Oshkosh, Wisconsin (Wittman Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control on takeoff, which resulted in his remedial action to induce an aerodynamic stall and the subsequent impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 30, 2016 · about 4:47 pm local time
- Place
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin · Wittman Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RANS S 7, built 1997
- Registration
- N6271X · registry record · serial 0196170
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The sport pilot reported that during taxi before taking off for the airshow, he was trying to get the airplane set up for takeoff. Shortly after he began his takeoff roll and as he rotated the airplane, the airplane's nose pitched up into a high attitude. He applied forward pressure to the control stick, and the airplane began to drift to the left. Because the left side of the runway was bordered with airshow spectators, the pilot made an abrupt turn to the right, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain on the west side of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the wing struts and fuselage. The pilot stated that he felt rushed and anxious given the number of airplanes trying to land and take off. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed flight control continuity, and no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions were identified that would have precluded normal operation. Although the aft baggage compartment contained 10 lbs of baggage more than the maximum limit, according to weight and balance calculations, the airplane's takeoff weight was below the maximum, and the aft center of gravity was within normal limits. The pilot had been diagnosed with Crohn's disease, low back pain, insomnia, and Parkinson's disease and was taking sleep-inducing medications at the time of the accident. Given the circumstances of the accident and the pilot's ability to recall events including the crash itself, it is unlikely that he suffered a sudden period of sleep induced by the medications. Further, it could not be determined if the pilot's medical issues contributed to the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 464 hours in all; 291 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 464 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 18, 2016
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,191.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 10, 2016
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912UL (piston); 1,192 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OSH Oshkosh WI at 4:45 pm
- Destination: AMW Ames IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 8,002 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KOSH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.