Bush Caddy USA LSA accident near Chadron, Nebraska, July 20, 2007
On July 20, 2007 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Bush Caddy USA LSA, registered N714Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chadron, Nebraska (Chadron Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during landing. A contributing factor was the gusty, crosswind condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 20, 2007 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Chadron, Nebraska · Chadron Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bush Caddy USA LSA
- Registration
- N714Q · no longer on the register · serial BCLSA-001-A
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was substantially damaged when the right wing contacted the ground during landing. The pilot reported that as the flight approached the intended destination, he monitored the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) and determined that the prevailing winds were from 190 degrees at 16 knots, with gusts to 26 knots. As he entered the traffic pattern for runway 20 (6,000 feet by 100 feet, concrete) he observed the windsock, which confirmed the winds were down the runway. He noted that the airplane touched down about 300 feet past the runway threshold. The pilot stated "the touchdown was a good wheel landing" and he initially maintained control of the airplane. However, a "strong crosswind tipped up one wing" and although he was able to correct, the encounter caused the airplane "to be headed off the runway into a berm." He elected to initiate a go-around and added full power in an attempt to clear the berm, with the intention of re-entering the traffic pattern. The pilot reported that after the aircraft became airborne, he "experienced a severe crosswind" that caused the right wing to contact the ground. The airport Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS), at 1353, recorded winds from 170 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 26 knots. At 1453, the recorded winds were from 180 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 57 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 23 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 31 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912S (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CPR Casper WY at 5:30 pm
- Destination: CDR Chadron NE
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 20, 6,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 16 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from CDR
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.