Skykits CORP SAVANNAH VGW accident near Flippin, Arkansas, June 2, 2023
On June 2, 2023 at about 1:20 pm local time, a Skykits CORP SAVANNAH VGW, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N341JD, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Flippin, Arkansas (Marion County Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was 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 takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 2, 2023 · about 1:20 pm local time · cases in 2023
- Place
- Flippin, Arkansas · Marion County Rgnl · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Skykits CORP SAVANNAH VGW, amateur-built · all SAVANNAH VGWs on the register
- Registration
- N341JD · registry record · serial 08-11-51-788
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered toward the left edge of the runway. The pilot attempted to abort the takeoff and reduced engine power to idle; however, the pilot continued to hold the aircraft in a nose-high attitude and the airplane became airborne. The airplane flew over the taxiway and impacted terrain adjacent to the taxiway. The impact collapsed the main and nose gear and caused the right wingtip to strike the ground. Post accident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The inspector noted tire marks on the runway that veer to the left and are in-line with the aircraft’s direction, with a darker mark on the left. The inspector examined the airplane’s brakes and found that both functioned normally. The pilot reported that 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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience › Student/instructed pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Student/instructed pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 17 hours in all; 2 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 536 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 1, 2022; 19 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,234 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912S (piston); 536 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 5,001 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 am from KFLP
Weather report (METAR): METAR KFLP 021356Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 24/20 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP163 T02390200
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Aft L/H view of accident airplane
Photograph 2 – Forward L/H view of accident airplane
Photograph 3 – R/H view of accident airplaneThe 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
3 documents, released by the NTSB on September 28, 2023. 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 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N341JD on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Skykits Corp SAVANNAH VGW 9 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Engine: Rotax 912S 335 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Marion County Regional · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Arkansas 1,582 since 1982 · 177 in the last ten years
- Arkansas 3,494 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN23LA225.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.