Coyote S-6ES accident near Pisgah, Iowa, June 23, 2020
On June 23, 2020 at about 7:19 pm local time, a 1996 Coyote S-6ES, registered N7764W, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Pisgah, Iowa (Pvt airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The uncertificated pilot's failure to attain/maintain a proper angle-of-attack during an initial climb that resulted in an aerodynamic stall and 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
- June 23, 2020 · about 7:19 pm local time
- Place
- Pisgah, Iowa · Pvt · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Coyote S-6ES, built 1996
- Registration
- N7764W · no longer on the register · serial 1095888ES
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The uncertificated pilot reported he had been studying an on-line course with the intent of pursuing a sport pilot certificate in the future. He purchased the airplane about a month prior to the accident, and the accident flight was his first flight in the airplane. He stated he was aware of a cross wind coming from his right at his airstrip, and the ground dropping away into the adjacent bean field at the end. He planned to get airborne and then as the ground dropped away into the field, he would turn right into the wind and climb. He said that the airplane climbed faster than anticipated, and the wind turned the airplane toward the left. He stated that he did not remember much after that, other than some of the post-crash events in the field. The pilot stated he had seen a video the accident, and it appeared the left wing stalled, and the airplane spun into the field. The airplane sustained substantial damage that included damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot stated there was no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal airplane operation.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 430.5 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 9, 2020
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: None Pisgah IA
- Destination: None Pisgah IA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on October 9, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation - Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Airframe Logbook | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Logbook | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.