On August 9, 2025, a RANS S-6ES Coyote II was involved in an aviation accident near Bariūnai village, Joniškis district, Lithuania, LT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A crosswind gust during take-off caused the RANS S-6ES Coyote II to turn into a ditch, resulting in damage to the propeller, front landing gear, and engine cowlings. This summary draws on records from the Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Service of Lithuania (TAITS).
A RANS S-6ES Coyote II sustained damage to its propeller and landing gear after turning into a ditch during takeoff from a field near Bariūnai, Lithuania, on August 9, 2025. The pilot was uninjured.
What happened
On 9 August 2025, an aircraft RANS S-6ES Coyote II was involved in an incident during an attempted take-off from a field located near Bariūnai village in the Joniškis district of Lithuania. The pilot encountered a crosswind gust while accelerating for departure. This sudden wind condition caused the aircraft to yaw significantly to the side, leading it off the intended flight path and into a nearby ditch.
The impact resulted in damage to several components of the RANS S-6ES Coyote II. Specifically, the propeller, the front landing gear, and the engine cowlings were damaged during the collision with the ground. Despite the structural damage to the aircraft, the person piloting the aircraft remained uninjured.
The investigation
The Safety Investigation Authority of the Republic of Lithuania examined the circumstances surrounding the event. The authority established that the primary sequence of events was driven by the interaction between the aircraft and a crosswind gust during the critical take-off phase on an unprepared surface.
Probable cause
A crosswind gust during take-off caused the RANS S-6ES Coyote II to turn into a ditch, resulting in damage to the propeller, front landing gear, and engine cowlings.