Missoula Aviation LLC SUPER DRIFTER accident near Lafayette, Tennessee, July 7, 2024
On July 7, 2024 at about 9:35 pm local time, a 2021 Missoula Aviation LLC SUPER DRIFTER, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N692BS, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Lafayette, Tennessee (Lafayette Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 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 airplane during a go-around in gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 7, 2024 · about 9:35 pm local time
- Place
- Lafayette, Tennessee · Lafayette Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Missoula Aviation LLC SUPER DRIFTER, built 2021, amateur-built
- Registration
- N692BS · registry record · serial SD 32621
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and passenger reported that during the final approach to land, an unexpected gust of wind pushed the airplane toward the west side of the runway, near the precision approach path indicator lights and a hillside. As the pilot initiated a go-around, a stronger gust lifted the right wing, and the airplane rolled to the left. The airplane then encountered an aerodynamic stall while banked about 45 degrees, which continued to a 90-degree bank with a 45-degree nose-down pitch attitude. Due to the low altitude, the pilot was unable to recover, and the airplane impacted the airport ramp area, coming to rest inverted. The pilot was seriously injured and the airplane’s wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures of 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 in flight during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR go-around)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
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
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 40,000 hours in all; 100 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 100 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 23, 2024; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 100 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01/1, 5,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 4:35 pm from KXNX, 19 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KXNX 072035Z AUTO 36005KT 10SM CLR 32/18 A3002 RMK A01
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on June 20, 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 | Memorandum for Record - Passenger and Pilot Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Record Excerpts | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record - Weather Information | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.