Aviat Aircraft INC HUSKY accident near Steamboat Springs, Colorado, August 1, 2014
On August 1, 2014 at about 7:00 pm local time, a 2000 Aviat Aircraft INC HUSKY, registered N776BC, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It was an instructional 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 student rated pilot's inadvertent flight control input resulting in a ground loop and substantial damage to the right wing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 1, 2014 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Steamboat Springs, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aviat Aircraft INC HUSKY A1B, built 2000
- Registration
- N776BC · registry record · serial 2079
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the FAA Certificated flight instructor, he was instructing the student rated pilot on a mountain flying technique known as "popping the flaps" in order to aid in gaining altitude during short field takeoffs. He stated that shortly after rotation, the student reached down to pop the flaps and inadvertently leaned on the yoke, causing the airplane to descend, strike the ground and loop to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight 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
- Abrupt maneuver during takeoff
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,895 hours in all; 75 in this make and model
- Last flight review: December 17, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 58 in this make and model
- Last flight review: July 31, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,890 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-CIG (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Hoot Aero LLC
The flight
- Departed from: SBS Steamboat Springs CO at 10:00 pm
- Destination: SBS Steamboat Springs CO
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,000 ft; scat at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 7:14 pm from KSBS, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on May 31, 2016. 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 | Memorandum for Record (FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record (CFI) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record (Student Rated Pilot) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record (Email) | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photo (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | 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.