Rans COYOTE II S6 N1901C accident near Lincoln, California

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while in a turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the increased drag on the airplane with the doors removed.

NTSB analysis

The pilot removed the doors of his two-seat, 65-horsepower airplane the day before the accident and flew it successfully. The aircraft documentation noted that with the doors removed the airplane’s climb and cruise performance would be reduced. On the day of the accident, the pilot had a passenger with him and the doors of the airplane were still off. A witness reported that the airplane was returning to the airport at 500 feet and made a downwind entry for the runway. There was one airplane in the traffic pattern ahead of the accident airplane. The accident airplane then entered a 35- to 40-degree angle-of-bank left-hand turn, presumably to increase the spacing between aircraft. After the airplane had completed about 180 degrees of turn, it appeared to be traveling slower than normal; the left wing dipped and the airplane entered a descending spiral. The airplane rotated 360 degrees while descending vertically and impacted terrain. During a postaccident examination of the airplane, flight control continuity was confirmed and no preimpact mechanical anomalies were noted.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10LA293 for the full record.