Leigh S-6 COYOTE II accident near New Kent, Virginia, May 15, 2011
On May 15, 2011 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Leigh S-6 COYOTE II, registered N929RL, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near New Kent, Virginia. 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
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 15, 2011 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- New Kent, Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Leigh S-6 COYOTE II
- Registration
- N929RL · no longer on the register · serial 0690124
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that after takeoff he climbed to 1,000 feet and flew along a river to his destination. The flight continued beyond his estimated time of arrival as he tried to identify landmarks. He then reduced power and looked for a suitable landing site to check the fuel because the fuel gauge indicated that between zero and 1/4 of his fuel reserves remained. He initiated an approach to a field for a precautionary landing, but noticed that it was not suitable and he began to climb out when the engine lost power. He executed a 180-degree northerly turn and lined up for a forced landing in a field with standing water. While flying at 45 to 50 knots with the first notch of flaps lowered, he noticed a power line and applied aft elevator control input to avoid it. After clearing the power line, the nose of the airplane dropped and the airplane impacted the field. The right main landing gear wheel assembly dug into soft ground, causing the right main landing gear wheel assembly to separate. Postaccident inspection of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Six gallons of fuel were found in the fuel tank. The engine was started without a propeller installed and operated satisfactorily, but a prolonged run could not be performed due to breach of the engine coolant system. No determination could be made as to the reason for the loss of engine power.
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 engine power (total) during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Landing gear collapse during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Flight time: 1,900 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 4 in the last 30 days; 1,900 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 160 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 27, 2010; 118 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,030 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 25VA Aylett VA at 2:30 pm
- Destination: 92VA Gloucester VA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,500 ft; scat at 3,100 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.57 inHg
- Observation at 4:40 pm from JGG, 24 miles away
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.