Amateur-built SUPER RV8 accident near Carter, Wyoming, July 27, 2024
On July 27, 2024 at about 11:00 pm local time, a 2002 amateur-built SUPER RV8, registered N854, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Carter, Wyoming (Fort Bridger airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilots encounter with a shifting winds during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 2024 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Carter, Wyoming · Fort Bridger · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SUPER RV8, built 2002
- Registration
- N854 · registry record · serial 81273
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that during takeoff he encountered a crosswind that shifted to a tailwind. The airplane veered left and exited the side of the runway. Both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 20,898 hours in all; 1,206 in this make and model; 65 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 16,132 as pilot in command; 901 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 12, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,650.3 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 13, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,969 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-EXP (piston); 6,675 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KFBR Fort Bridger WY at 11:20 pm
- Destination: KELY Ely NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 04/2, 6,404 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 5:15 pm from FBR
Weather report (METAR): KFBR 272315Z AUTO 11007KT 10SM CLR 23/06 A3008 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SE AND W T02320062
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – View of the left side of the airplane where it came to rest.
Photograph 2 – View of the right side of the airplane where it came to rest.The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on April 8, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.