Amateur-built PIETENPOL accident near Taylorsville, North Carolina, April 18, 2025
On April 18, 2025 at about 4:52 pm local time, a 1999 amateur-built PIETENPOL, registered N497AR, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Taylorsville, North Carolina (Crossroads Grill Airstrip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. 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 an attempted go around in gusty tailwind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 18, 2025 · about 4:52 pm local time
- Place
- Taylorsville, North Carolina · Crossroads Grill Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built PIETENPOL, built 1999
- Registration
- N497AR · registry record · serial LCF2
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the winds were calm during approach, but as the airplane arrived on final approach to land, the wind velocity increased significantly and changed direction. After feeling a strong tailwind, the pilot attempted to perform a go-around and turned the airplane to the right to avoid powerlines and trees. After leveling the airplane’s wings, and while at a height of about 20 ft above the ground, another tailwind gust struck the airplane and the right wing encountered an aerodynamic stall. The airplane’s right wing and nose subsequently impacted the ground before coming to rest in a nearly vertical attitude. The airplane’s wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with 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 › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,926 hours in all; 233 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 3,926 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 13, 2023
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,731 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 26, 2024; 25.1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,080 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 6,731 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NC27 Lenoir NC at 4:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 1,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 14 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.24 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from HKY, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KHKY 181653Z 21014G24KT 10SM CLR 23/07 A3024 RMK AO2 SLP223 T02280067
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – View of airplane at accident site.
Photograph 2 – View of airplane resting vertically on its nose.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 September 5, 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - Witness Interview Summary | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - Witness Interview Summary (Second Witness) | PDF, 3 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.