Amateur-built AEROSPORT SCAMP WTB1 accident near Grantham, North Carolina, October 17, 2011
On October 17, 2011 at about 10:00 pm local time, a amateur-built AEROSPORT SCAMP WTB1, registered N25WS, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Grantham, North Carolina (Cox-Grantham Airfield). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate clearance from unmarked power lines while on approach to land at a private airport.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 17, 2011 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Grantham, North Carolina · Cox-Grantham Airfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AEROSPORT SCAMP WTB1
- Registration
- N25WS · no longer on the register · serial 75-02
- 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 he had completed two approaches to the private grass airstrip without incident. During the third approach, the airplane struck unmarked power lines located just prior to the approach end of the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage to the underside of its fuselage, rudder and both wings. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The runway previously had a marked, 670-foot displaced threshold to compensate for the power lines. The airport manager reported that the displaced threshold markings were made of wood and had deteriorated over a period of years.
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › Obstruction markings/lighting › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › Runway markings/signage › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 698 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 649 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 30, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 95 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, February 1, 2011; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 850 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen 1834cc (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6NC0 Grantham NC
- Destination: 6NC0 Grantham NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 2,800 ft by 54 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 180°F (82°C), dew point 124°F (51°C)
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from GSB, 11 miles away
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.