Rans S-7 accident near Sydnorsville, Virginia, August 8, 2001
On August 8, 2001 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Rans S-7, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N56RP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sydnorsville, Virginia (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to an engine over-temperature condition, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 8, 2001 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Sydnorsville, Virginia · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rans S-7, amateur-built
- Registration
- N56RP · registry record · serial 1189060
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting his first flight in the experimental homebuilt airplane. Shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip, the engine water pressure dropped to zero, and the engine began to overheat. The pilot turned back toward the private airstrip; however, the engine was losing power, and the airplane was not able to maintain altitude. The pilot attempted to perform a forced landing to field, however, the airplane struck a tree prior to coming to rest in a field. The pilot added that the engine appeared to stop just prior to the impact with the tree. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical failure. The airplane's cooling system was impact damaged and a significant amount of engine coolant was observed on the ground. It was noted that the composite propeller did not exhibit any damage consistent with rotation. The airplane was equipped with a Rotax 582 engine, which was not certified for airplane use.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 132 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 5 in the last 30 days; 59 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 642 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2001; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Sydnorsville VA at 2:50 pm
- Destination: PSK Dublin VA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 2,800 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 2:54 pm from ROA, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.