Aviat Aircraft INC S-1-11B accident near Chapmansboro, Tennessee, September 23, 2024
On September 23, 2024 at about 6:57 pm local time, a 1998 Aviat Aircraft INC S-1-11B, registered N5111B, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (aerobatics) near Chapmansboro, Tennessee (Whifferdill Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of airplane control while performing an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in the airplane entering an inverted flat spin at an altitude too low for recovery.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 23, 2024 · about 6:57 pm local time
- Place
- Chapmansboro, Tennessee · Whifferdill Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aviat Aircraft INC S-1-11B NO SERIES, built 1998
- Registration
- N5111B · registry record · serial 4003
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was performing aerobatic maneuvers between 400 and 2,000 ft above ground level (agl) in an aerobatic practice box. A witness recorded several videos of the airplane as it flew, including a video that captured the final moments of the flight. In the last few seconds of the video, the airplane entered a climb and completed a 4-point aileron roll. The airplane continued to climb briefly after the roll before continuing out of the camera’s view. ADS-B data showed that the airplane’s altitude for this final maneuver was between 700 and 1,800 ft agl. The airplane reappeared on video in a rapid descent in an orientation consistent with an inverted flat spin. An increase in engine rpm could be heard during the final few seconds of the video and engine noise could be heard throughout the flat spin, even after the airplane disappeared below the tree line. Postaccident examinations of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot lost control of the airplane while practicing aerobatic maneuvers, and the airplane entered an inverted flat spin at an altitude too low for recovery.
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 in flight during maneuvering (aerobatics) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering (aerobatics)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, foreign licence
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,968 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,447.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 15, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 1,625 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Barrett Performance Aircraft AEIO-540 Expe (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 1:50 pm from JWN, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KJWN 231850Z 24007KT 4SM HZ CLR 30/20 A2989
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 5 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Postaccident view of airplane inverted in river
Photograph 2 – Postaccident view of airplane in river
Photograph 3 – View of airplane post recovery efforts
Photograph 4 – View of upper airplane damage
Photograph 5 – View of upper airplane damageThe 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
14 documents, released by the NTSB on April 24, 2025. 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 | Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statement - Spouse | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - Aerobatic Box Information | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record A�� Aerobatics Cards | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Pilot Logbook (Excerpts) | PDF, 12 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 8 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 7 | ADS-B Data | map file · our copy | Download |
| 8 | ADS-B Tabular Data | data file · our copy | Download |
| 9 | Flight Altitude Agl Calculations | spreadsheet · our copy | Download |
| 10 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 11 | Video File - Accident Flight | video · our copy | View Download |
| 12 | Video File - Slow Motion Last Seconds | video · our copy | View Download |
| 13 | Toxicological Report (Pilot) | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 14 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
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.