Rans S6 accident near Fletcher, North Carolina, June 26, 2019
On June 26, 2019 at about 2:30 pm local time, a 2007 Rans S6, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N661PF, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Fletcher, North Carolina (Six Oaks airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin at low altitude. Contributing was the lack of experience both pilots possessed in the accident airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 26, 2019 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Fletcher, North Carolina · Six Oaks · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rans S6 S, built 2007, amateur-built · all S6s on the register
- Registration
- N661PF · no longer on the register · serial 09041607
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot and flight instructor were conducting a flight review. The flight departed from a private grass field airport and maneuvered in the local area for about 20 minutes and then returned to the airport. They then departed again, and shortly after takeoff the airplane's climb rate rapidly increased, airspeed rapidly deteriorated, which was subsequently followed by a descent into terrain. Multiple witnesses described the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall and a subsequent fully developed spin, where the airplane impacted the ground in a nose low attitude. Examination revealed no anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation, and damage signatures and a witness account indicated that the engine was producing power at the time of the accident. Fuel observed in the carburetor bowls indicated that the engine was receiving fuel normally at the time of impact. The investigation could not determine why airplane control was lost or who was the pilot flying during the flight's final takeoff and climb. Both pilots were certificated flight instructors, and each had logged several thousands of hours of flight time, however, the flight instructor had never flown the accident airplane, and the commercial pilot had logged under 5 hours of flight time in the accident airplane. It is likely that both pilot's inexperience in the accident airplane contributed to the loss of control at low altitude. Although both pilots were at increased risk for a sudden cardiac event, there was no evidence on autopsy of such an event, therefore, it is unlikely either pilot’s cardiovascular disease was a factor in 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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Instructor/check pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 13,755 hours in all; 3.2 in this make and model; 37.4 in the last 90 days; 18.2 in the last 30 days; 13,662 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 6, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,500 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 8.6 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 8, 2018
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 161.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 10, 2019; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 161 hours total
- Operator: Pf Flyers Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: NC67 Fletcher NC at 2:04 pm
- Destination: NC67 Fletcher NC
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 2:54 pm from AVL, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
15 documents, released by the NTSB on October 6, 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.
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.