Sky Ranger SKY RANGER 1 N8092S

Summary

On 9 May 2026 at about 19:15 local time, a Sky Ranger SKY RANGER 1 registered N8092S was involved in an accident near Front Royal, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 May 2026 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Front Royal, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Front Royal-Warren County (FRR)

Coordinates

38.9186, -78.2532

Aircraft

Sky Ranger SKY RANGER 1

Registration

N8092S

Category

Airplane

Year built

2007

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA26LA201

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in him taking off with the fuel selector in the OFF position, and the subsequent total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was preparing to depart and taxied to the runway, completed a magneto check, and commenced the takeoff. Shortly after takeoff, while initiating a left turn, the airplane’s engine lost power. The pilot reported that he searched for a suitable landing area, while continuing the left turn in an attempt to land on a taxiway. During the forced landing, the airplane contacted a fence and a wooden signpost before it struck the ground and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane’s right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He further stated that he had inadvertently left the fuel selector in the OFF position and described that because the fuel selector was located behind the cockpit seats, it was awkward to see and access.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.