Amateur-built PA-11 accident near Morrisville, Vermont, May 20, 2015
On May 20, 2015 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 2008 amateur-built PA-11, registered N710JF, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Morrisville, Vermont (Morrisville-Stowe State 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).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and his deliberate application of excessive braking pressure.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 20, 2015 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Morrisville, Vermont · Morrisville-Stowe State · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built PA-11, built 2008
- Registration
- N710JF · registry record · serial J001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported a left crosswind during approach to the runway. During touchdown the airplane veered to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to return the airplane to the runway centerline by applying right rudder control and right brake. The airplane veered right and exited the right side of the runway. Approaching a ditch on the right side of the runway, the pilot applied the brakes and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot exited the airplane and reported seeing a shift in the windsock on the airfield from a left crosswind to a left quartering tailwind. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing strut. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine 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 on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Surface speed/braking › Incorrect use/operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all; 48 in this make and model; 8,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 17, 2015
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 97 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 8, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290-D (piston); 2,413 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EFK Newport VT at 5:15 pm
- Destination: MVL Morrisville VT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01, 3,697 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 16 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 5:54 pm from KMVL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number GAA15CA084.