Flight Design CTSW accident near Punta Gorda, Florida, December 5, 2008
On December 5, 2008 at about 9:35 pm local time, a Flight Design CTSW, registered N370CT, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Punta Gorda, Florida (Charlotte County 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 failure to maintain control of the airplane during a rejected takeoff. Contributing to the accident was a gust of wind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 5, 2008 · about 9:35 pm local time
- Place
- Punta Gorda, Florida · Charlotte County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Flight Design CTSW
- Registration
- N370CT · registry record · serial 05-10-01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was practicing takeoffs when he made his third departure. The pilot stated that as the airplane was approaching take off speed, a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer to the right. He stated that he utilized the flight controls to stay pointing straight and on the centerline of the runway. The wind gust subsided and the airplane started "fishtailing" on the runway. The pilot then reduced power and applied brakes, while attempting not to "oversteer" the airplane. The airplane was almost stopped when the nose gear of the airplane departed the left edge of the runway, sank into the sand, and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact deficiencies.
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
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › Fireseals › Damaged/degraded
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 146 hours in all; 103 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 146 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 15, 2007
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 176 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 4, 2008; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PGD Punta Gorda FL at 7:50 pm
- Destination: PGD Punta Gorda FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 5,688 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from PGD
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.