Amateur-built RANS S 7 COURIER accident near Pinedale, Wyoming, March 27, 2015
On March 27, 2015 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 1995 amateur-built RANS S 7 COURIER, registered N4272M, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Pinedale, Wyoming. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s decision to take off in a crosswind that exceeded the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind capability and his subsequent inability to maintain directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 27, 2015 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Pinedale, Wyoming · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RANS S 7 COURIER UNDESIGNAT, built 1995
- Registration
- N4272M · registry record · serial 0693110
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he made a precautionary landing on a road to investigate a possible airplane malfunction. During the landing, he noted that the wind was out of the north and about 25 to 35 mph. After troubleshooting, the pilot attempted to take off from the road to the east. According to the airplane manufacturer, the airplane's maximum demonstrated crosswind is 20 knots at 90 degrees. During the takeoff roll, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane, and the airplane departed the road. Subsequently the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted the ground. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine 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
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Maximum crosswind component › Capability exceeded
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 4,200 hours in all; 3,635 in this make and model
- Last flight review: September 10, 2014
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,635.4 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 14, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Bombardier ROTAX (ALL) (piston); 410 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: U56 Rigby ID at 3:15 pm
- Destination: RKS Rock Springs WY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from KPNA, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on May 26, 2015. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation (Pilot) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation (Pilot) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversation (Passenger’s Wife) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo 1 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Wyoming Highway Patrol) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo 2 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Wyoming Highway Patrol) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo 3 - Front of Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Pilot) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Photo 4 - Engine Mount (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | 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.
Other NTSB records under N4272M 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.