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WPR24LA143

2024-04-30 · Rowley, Utah, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport N/A

Current FAA registration · N440BS

Make / Model
SQUIRES ROBERT E THATCHER CX4
Year of manufacture
2012 · 12 years old at event
Engine
GREATPLAIN GREATPLAIN VW (100 hp)
Seats / Engines
1 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20160426
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A54AC7

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he made a precautionary landing on a paved road after a sudden loss of engine power. While troubleshooting the engine, a loose carburetor fuel/air mixture needle was identified, and it was subsequently adjusted and secured. The pilot conducted an engine runup and elected to depart from the same road. The road was approximately 30 ft in width and was lined with power lines on either side. During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to veer to the right and the pilot stated he failed to recover in time. The airplane departed the road to the right, struck surrounding vegetation, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, left aileron, and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2024_WPR24LA143.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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