Amateur-built BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB accident near Douglas, Wyoming, June 11, 2018
On June 11, 2018 at about 5:00 pm local time, a 2017 amateur-built BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, registered N7455, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Douglas, Wyoming (Private 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 overcorrection with rudder during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 11, 2018 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Douglas, Wyoming · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB NO SERIES, built 2017
- Registration
- N7455 · registry record · serial BC21116R013
- 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 that, during takeoff from a private, grass airstrip, the trim was not correctly adjusted. The airplane became airborne prematurely and then settled back onto the airstrip. The pilot applied too much right rudder and brake, and the airplane veered right. The airplane ground looped to the left, and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Rudder control system › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 900 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 900 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 1, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, November 7, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Superior IO-400-XP (piston); 89 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CDR Chadron NE at 3:00 pm
- Destination: PVT Douglas WY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway SE, 1,300 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KDGW, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on October 1, 2018. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photos | PDF, 2 pages | 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.