# NTSB WPR25LA187: Flight Design Ctls, N454CT, Kayenta, AZ, June 19, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 19, 2025, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Kayenta, AZ - Coordinates: 36.718658, -110.22389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7187&lon=-110.2239&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 200375 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA187 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200375/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA187 ## Probable cause The pilots’ failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Copilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The right-seated pilot stated that both he and the left-seated pilot were flying for the purpose of building their total airplane hours. After departing, they maneuvered for about an hour and opted to land at a local airport and eat lunch. Despite waiting for a while for the wind to become calmer, they departed in gusting crosswind conditions. The right-seated pilot was flying the airplane and after reaching about 10 ft above ground level (agl), the wind suddenly changed directions, and they were unable to maintain airplane control. The left-seated pilot asked for control of the airplane then attempted to touch back down on the runway, but the airplane’s wheels contacted vegetation adjacent to the runway. The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane flipped over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the fuselage during the accident sequence. The pilots reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N454CT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N454CT), registered now, S/N F-08-08-23 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FLIGHT DESIGN GMBH CTLS - Registry model: [Flight Design CTLS](https://openairdocs.org/model/flight-design-ctls) (registry code 060005B) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: F-08-08-23 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 1185.6 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS Series 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ample Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Ample Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 2025, 86 hours before - Departed: 0V7, Kayenta, AZ - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 0V7, Kayenta, runway 05-23, 7,101 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Airframe parachute, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 14, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 518.4 total, 24.4 in this make and model, 439.1 as pilot in command, 192.1 in the last 90 days, 78.6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 588.2 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: OV7, 0.25 nm away 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.