Amateur-built RANS S6ES accident near Spanaway, Washington, May 26, 2002

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

This was the third flight of the aircraft since completion of its construction. On the second flight, there had been an interruption in engine power during the climb, so the owner contacted the airframe kit manufacturer and the builder of the engine for advice. After taking actions recommended by those parties, the owner conducted ground-run tests while varying the aircraft's pitch attitude from that of level flight to that equivalent to a maximum performance climb. After the tests were completed without any apparent problems, the pilot took off to evaluate the performance of the engine while airborne. After the aircraft climbed to about 400 feet above the ground (agl), the engine started to lose power. The pilot immediately turned back toward the airport, but realized he would not be able to reach the runway. He therefore elected to try to land on a street in the residential area he was over. While attempting to land, the aircraft collided with some trees and bounced off of a vehicle. Although it was the opinion of the owner that something had caused an interruption of the fuel movement into the cylinders, a clear determination of the reason for the power loss was not able to be established.

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.