Hanson RANS S6ES N654RH

Summary

On 26 May 2002 at about 22:00 local time, a Hanson RANS S6ES registered N654RH was involved in an accident near Spanaway, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 May 2002 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Spanaway, Washington, United States

Coordinates

47.0500, -122.3607

Aircraft

Hanson RANS S6ES

Registration

N654RH

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Spanaway → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA02LA087

1 person was seriously injured.

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during the climb-out after takeoff. Factors include no suitable terrain upon which to attempt a forced landing, and trees and cars alongside of the residential street that the pilot attempted to land on.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.