Piper PA 28R-200 accident near Riverton, Wyoming, December 25, 2017
On December 25, 2017, a 1970 Piper PA 28R-200, registered N550D, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Riverton, Wyoming (Riverton Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of directional control during the rejected takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airport runway configuration, which led to his premature attempt to take off, and the airplane’s inoperative landing light.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 25, 2017
- Place
- Riverton, Wyoming · Riverton Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 28R-200 200, built 1970 · all PA 28R-200s on the register
- Registration
- N550D · no longer on the register · serial 28R-35783
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was attempting to take off and noted that the airplane's landing light was not working. Although the runway lights provided him with good visibility, his depth perception was limited. As the airplane approached the intersection with the crossing runway during the takeoff roll, the pilot thought that the airplane was approaching the end of the runway. He rotated the airplane to lift off, but it had not gained enough airspeed to become airborne, so he decided to reject the takeoff. As he reduced engine power, he lost directional control, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that there were no issues with the airplane during the accident takeoff other than the inoperative landing light. He noted that a better review of the airport diagram and a working landing light might have improved his situational awareness during the takeoff.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Flight planning/navigation › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of charts › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Lighting system › Exterior lighting › Inoperative
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 109 hours in all; 14 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 57 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 28, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,095.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 28, 2017; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RIW Riverton WY
- Destination: U12 St. Anthony ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 8,204 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 060° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point -8°F (-22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on February 12, 2018. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Weight & Balance Data - Accident Flight (Provided by Pilot) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Records - Excerpt | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Airplane Flight Manual - Excerpt | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Airplane Owner's Handbook - Excerpt | PDF, 17 pages | View Download |
| 6 | FAA Type Certificate 2A13 (PA-28) - Excerpt | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | FAA Regulations - Excerpt | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 8 | FAA Clarification of Prior Interpretations of Seat Belt/seating Requirements for General Aviation Flights | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Airport Information - Riw | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Weather Documentation | PDF, 3 pages | 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.