Amateur-built SKY RANGER B accident near Ellicott, Colorado, June 27, 2021
On June 27, 2021 at about 4:20 pm local time, a 2005 amateur-built SKY RANGER B, registered N7714E, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Ellicott, Colorado. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of control while maneuvering at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 27, 2021 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Ellicott, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SKY RANGER B, built 2005
- Registration
- N7714E · no longer on the register · serial SKR 0503 573
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported the flight’s purpose was to fly “low and slow” over the riverbed for a ceremony. During a left turn initiated about 250 ft above ground level, the pilot noticed a sink rate develop. The pilot applied full power, but the sink rate continued, and the airplane struck a tree that resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal 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
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 662 hours in all; 662 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 16, 2020
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 682 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 28, 2020; 19 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 682 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KFLY Peyton CO at 4:00 pm
- Destination: KFLY Peyton CO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 10,000 ft; scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observation at 9:58 am from KABH, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KABH 271558Z AUTO 34005KT 10SM SCT070 OVC100 16/08 A3028 RMK AO2 SLP206 T01580078
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on September 9, 2021. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Correspondence with Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo of Airplane at Accident Site | 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.