Rans, Inc. Rans S-6ES accident near Lajas, Puerto Rico, June 22, 2008
On June 22, 2008 at about 3:32 pm local time, a Rans, Inc. Rans S-6ES, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N131PR, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Lajas, Puerto Rico. It was a personal 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 pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 22, 2008 · about 3:32 pm local time
- Place
- Lajas, Puerto Rico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rans, Inc. Rans S-6ES, amateur-built
- Registration
- N131PR · no longer on the register · serial 04011414
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-certificated pilot/owner and his passenger were returning to a private farm from a local flight. The pilot performed a "low speed, low altitude pass" over several witnesses gathered at the farm. When the airplane was about 1 mile from the road where the pilot intended to land, the airplane entered a steep left turn, and then stalled and spun to the ground from an altitude of approximately 200 feet. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any mechanical deficiencies. The airplane was at least 72 pounds over the 1,100 pound maximum gross weight at the time of the accident. Additionally, the pilot had substantial risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (marked obesity and evidence of poorly controlled high blood pressure), had recently taken a prescription sleep aid, and was taking a prescription weight loss product. Given these factors, the pilot's decision making may have been impaired by fatigue, or by the effects of the medications. However, the investigation was unable to verify whether the pilot was impaired during 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 maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Maximum weight › Capability exceeded
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 64 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, January 30, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Lajas PR at 12:30 pm
- Destination: NONE Lajas PR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 3:50 pm from TJBQ, 27 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
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.