Wild Sky LLC GOAT accident near Chester, Connecticut, March 14, 2025
On March 14, 2025 at about 7:15 pm local time, a 2024 Wild Sky LLC GOAT (weight-shift aircraft), registered N372WS, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Chester, Connecticut (Chester 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 14, 2025 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Chester, Connecticut · Chester · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Wild Sky LLC GOAT, built 2024 · all GOATs on the register
- Registration
- N372WS · registry record · serial 1731
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 14, 2025, about 1515 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Wild Sky Goat light-sport aircraft, N372WS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Chester, Connecticut. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A witness at the airport reported that weather conditions were “very gusty” at the time of the accident. The witness observed the pilot attempt a landing before initiating a go-around. As the aircraft climbed above the treetops, it collided with a tree and descended below the tree line. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors responded to the scene and examined the wreckage. The aircraft came to rest on its side at the base of a tree. Substantial damage was noted to the fuselage and sail wing. The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Collision during takeoff/land during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17/3, 2,722 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from KSNC, 32 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSNC 142015Z AUTO VRB06G12KT 10SM CLR 13/M01 A3012 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.