Air Creation USA LLC SKYPPER accident near Stow, Massachusetts, August 29, 2015
On August 29, 2015 at about 9:00 pm local time, a 2014 Air Creation USA LLC SKYPPER (weight-shift aircraft), registered N534AC, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Stow, Massachusetts (Minute Man Air Field). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot's improper directional control inputs during the takeoff roll, resulting in a roll over and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 29, 2015 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Stow, Massachusetts · Minute Man Air Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Creation USA LLC SKYPPER NO SERIES, built 2014 · all SKYPPERs on the register
- Registration
- N534AC · registry record · serial T14018
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor in the weight shift control aircraft reported that during the takeoff roll on an asphalt runway, the pilot receiving instruction over-controlled the steering pedals and the aircraft tipped over. The instructor stated that the accident sequence occurred instantly and that he did not have time to apply corrective measures. The weight shift control aircraft sustained substantial damage to the keel, control frame, and leading edge tube. The flight instructor 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 on ground during takeoff
- Roll over during takeoff defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Student/instructed pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Training › Recurrent instruct/training › Student/instructed pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 17,500 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: February 27, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, flight engineer, sport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 23,000 hours in all; 900 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 1,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 1, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 160 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 14, 2015; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 992 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax ULS/912 (piston); 160 hours total
- Operator: Air America
The flight
- Departed from: 8MA4 Stow MA at 8:40 pm
- Destination: 6B6 Stow MA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 2,770 ft by 48 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 8:52 pm from KFIT, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 2 |
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 GAA15CA253.