Sky Ranger SKY RANGER 1 accident near Front Royal, Virginia, May 9, 2026
On May 9, 2026 at about 7:15 pm local time, a 2007 Sky Ranger SKY RANGER 1, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N8092S, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Front Royal, Virginia (Front Royal-Warren County 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 inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in him taking off with the fuel selector in the OFF position, and the subsequent total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 9, 2026 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Front Royal, Virginia · Front Royal-Warren County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sky Ranger SKY RANGER 1, built 2007, amateur-built
- Registration
- N8092S · registry record · serial SKR-0125
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was preparing to depart and taxied to the runway, completed a magneto check, and commenced the takeoff. Shortly after takeoff, while initiating a left turn, the airplane’s engine lost power. The pilot reported that he searched for a suitable landing area, while continuing the left turn in an attempt to land on a taxiway. During the forced landing, the airplane contacted a fence and a wooden signpost before it struck the ground and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane’s right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He further stated that he had inadvertently left the fuel selector in the OFF position and described that because the fuel selector was located behind the cockpit seats, it was awkward to see and access.
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 initial climb
- Fuel starvation during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel selector/shutoff valve › Not used/operated
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 136 hours in all; 59 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 92 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 5, 2023
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 986 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 23, 2025; 22 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912UL SERIES (piston); 986 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10, 3,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 2:35 pm from OKV, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KOKV 091835Z AUTO 13004KT 10SM CLR 20/08 A2979
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 –Aft view of airplane showing damage to right wing root.
Photograph 2 – Close up view of right damaged wing root.
Photograph 3 – View of fuel selector behind seat in the off position. Shown with a red arrow pointing to it.The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on June 25, 2026. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - Pilot Interview | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Investigative Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N8092S the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.