Thatcher CX4 N440BS

Summary

On 30 April 2024 at about 18:00 local time, a Thatcher CX4 registered N440BS was involved in an accident near Rowley, Utah, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 April 2024 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Rowley, Utah, United States

Coordinates

40.9005, -112.7330

Aircraft

Thatcher CX4

Registration

N440BS

Category

Airplane

Year built

2014

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wendover → Bear Lake County

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR24LA143

1 person had minor injuries.

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

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.