# NTSB WPR24LA143: Thatcher CX4, N440BS, Rowley, UT, April 30, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 30, 2024, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Rowley, UT · Road - Coordinates: 40.9005, -112.733 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9005&lon=-112.7330&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194217 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194217/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194217 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA143 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Squires Robert E THATCHER CX4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05633T2), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Squires Robert E THATCHER CX4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05633T2), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Squires Robert E THATCHER CX4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05633T2), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Squires Robert E THATCHER CX4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05633T2), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Squires Robert E THATCHER CX4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05633T2), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Squires Robert E THATCHER CX4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05633T2), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N440BS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N440BS), registered now, S/N 440, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: THATCHER CX4 - Registry model: [Squires Robert E THATCHER CX4](https://openairdocs.org/model/squires-robert-e-thatcher-cx4) (registry code 05633T2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Greatplain GREATPLAIN VW](https://openairdocs.org/engine/greatplain-greatplain-vw) (registry code 31500, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 440 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 263 - Engines: Great Plains Volkswagen Type 1 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 16, 2023, 165 hours before - Departed: KENV, Wendover, UT - Destination: 1U7, Bear Lake County, ID - Airport: N/A - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 29, 2023; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 605 total, 170 in this make and model, 570 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KSLC, 36 nm away - METAR: METAR KSLC 301754Z VRB03KT 10SM FEW070 SCT210 BKN250 12/M06 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP158 T01171061 10117 20044 58010= ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20240430003949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240430003949A), Apr 30, 2024: Squires Robert E THATCHER CX4, Bermester, UT, Substantial damage. On 30 April 2024, [privacy data omitted] landed on rowley road in burmester, UT after experiencing engine idle roughness. The pilot successfully landed the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 19, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194217. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17185663&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=r_Complete%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17185998&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.