Aviat A1 accident near Rowlesburg, West Virginia, October 11, 2024
On October 11, 2024 at about 10:40 pm local time, a 2005 Aviat A1, registered N79HY, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Rowlesburg, West Virginia (Cheat River Island 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 directional control during the landing roll, resulting in the on-ground collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 11, 2024 · about 10:40 pm local time
- Place
- Rowlesburg, West Virginia · Cheat River Island Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aviat A1 B, built 2005
- Registration
- N79HY · registry record · serial 2289
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot entered the airport traffic pattern on the downwind leg and turned onto the base and final legs for runway 31 with wind from 260° at 5 knots. A witness observed and the pilot reported a normal landing, with the airplane touching down an estimated 300 to 400 ft down the runway. The pilot stated that, during the landing roll, the airplane bounced about 3 ft then touched back down and then, with no brakes applied, the airplane began veering to the left. He attempted to correct with right rudder and right brake but the veer to the left continued and the airplane impacted trees on the left side of the runway. The pilot informed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector that he had not noticed any tendencies for the airplane to pull left during landings on previous flights. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a FAA airworthiness inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing. A check of the flight controls revealed they appeared to be intact and functioning properly. A check of the brakes was performed with no discrepancies noted. A detailed examination of the tail wheel assembly, which was installed in accordance with a supplemental type certificate, revealed it was installed in accordance with the installation requirements, with proper left and right steering springs installed and tensioned. A discrepancy with the tailwheel leaf spring not being centered was noted, but the airplane manufacturer representative reported to the FAA inspector that condition would have negligible effect on taxi operations.
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 on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 429 hours in all; 368 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 382 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 5, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 911 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 24, 2024; 29 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1P (piston); 911 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2A1 Jamestown TN at 7:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 2,000 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KMGW, 22 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMGW 112253Z 20004KT 10SM CLR 18/04 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP210 T01780039
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 – FAA Digital Photograph. Right Side View of the Airplane At the Accident Site. Note the Large Tree Contact to the Leading Edge Near the Wing Root
Photograph 2 – FAA Digital Photograph. Right Forward Quartering View of the Airplane At the Accident Site
Photograph 3 – FAA Digital Photograph Left Side View of the Airplane At the Accident Site
Photograph 4 – FAA Digital Photograph. Right Rear Quartering View of the Airplane At the Accident Site
Photograph 5 – FAA Digital Photograph Aft View of the Tailwheel Assembly and Portions of Both Horizontal Stabilizers, Elevators, and Aft EmpennageThe 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
7 documents, released by the NTSB on July 3, 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of NTSB Conversations | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Excerpts from Maintenance Records | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | 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.