# NTSB WPR25LA247: Aviat A1, N801RA, Etna, WY, August 10, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 10, 2025, 09:11 local (15:11 UTC) - Place: Etna, WY - Coordinates: 43.083515, -111.03175 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0835&lon=-111.0318&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 200758 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200758/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200758 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA247 ## Probable cause The pilot’s premature rotation at insufficient airspeed during takeoff to avoid an unexpected animal on the runway, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent nose-over during the aborted takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s excessive brake application. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210410), [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-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was departing from a private grass airstrip when an animal ran onto the runway. In an attempt to avoid a collision, the pilot applied abrupt back pressure on the control yoke, and the airplane lifted off before reaching a sufficient airspeed for sustained flight. The airplane settled back onto the runway and bounced. With limited runway remaining, the pilot aborted the takeoff and applied heavy braking, and the airplane subsequently nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N801RA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N801RA), registered now, S/N 3169, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT A1 (C180) - Registry model: [Aviat A-1C-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1c-180) (registry code 2210410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1p) (registry code 42259, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3169 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 450 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 2024, 30 hours before - Airport: 32WY, Double L Ranch, runway 16/34, 2,100 × 75 ft - Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 20, 2025; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,442 total, 250 in this make and model, 3,442 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: KAFO, 23 nm away - METAR: KAFO 101515Z AUTO 00000KT 5SM HZ CLR 08/00 A3034 RMK AO2 ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200758. 689 KB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 457 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19569268&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=247%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19568488&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=247-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.