Cessna 172 accident near Elkwood, Virginia, August 15, 2024
On August 15, 2024 at about 11:15 pm local time, a 1961 Cessna 172, registered N8400X, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Elkwood, Virginia (Culpepper Regional 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 correctly reinstall the airplane’s left seat, resulting in the movement of the seat during the takeoff roll, and the subsequent loss of control and runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 15, 2024 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Elkwood, Virginia · Culpepper Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 C, built 1961 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N8400X · registry record · serial 17248900
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot completed two successful takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern and was taking off for a third time when the accident occurred. After the pilot applied takeoff power and the airplane had accelerated forward for less than 75 feet before the pilot’s seat slid back to the aftmost position. The pilot let go of the control yoke to prevent the airplane from pitching upward, but as the airplane continued to accelerate, he was unable to reach the rudder pedals and brakes. The pilot was eventually able to reach the throttle and reduced it to the idle position. The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway and came to rest in a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the pilot’s seat was not correctly installed and that the front left seat rail guide was not engaged with the rail. This resulted in the seat being position too high and prevented complete engagement of the seat adjustment rod. When the seat was adjusted, its position would lock, but when sufficient aft force was applied to the back of the seat, the adjustment rod would disengage and allow the seat to move. The pilot stated that he previously removed and reinstalled the seat to perform preventative maintenance.
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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Equipment/furnishings › Flight compartment equipment › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 491 hours in all; 491 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 491 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 17, 2024
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,617 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 12, 2024; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,250 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300 (piston); 1,416 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 5,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 7:15 pm from CJR
Weather report (METAR): KCJR 152315Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 28/17 A3006 RMK AO2 T02770172
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The 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
4 documents, released by the NTSB on December 6, 2024. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record A�� Pilot Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | 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.