Amateur-built CX4 accident near Rowley, Utah, April 30, 2024
On April 30, 2024 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 2014 amateur-built CX4, registered N440BS, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Rowley, Utah. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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 directional control during the takeoff roll.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 30, 2024 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Rowley, Utah · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CX4, built 2014
- Registration
- N440BS · registry record · serial 440
- 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 he made a precautionary landing on a paved road after a sudden loss of engine power. While troubleshooting the engine, a loose carburetor fuel/air mixture needle was identified, and it was subsequently adjusted and secured. The pilot conducted an engine runup and elected to depart from the same road. The road was approximately 30 ft in width and was lined with power lines on either side. During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to veer to the right and the pilot stated he failed to recover in time. The airplane departed the road to the right, struck surrounding vegetation, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, left aileron, and the vertical stabilizer. 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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 605 hours in all; 170 in this make and model; 120 in the last 90 days; 56 in the last 30 days; 570 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 29, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 263 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 16, 2023; 165 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 850 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Great Plains Volkswagen Ty (piston); 263 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KENV Wendover UT at 4:00 pm
- Destination: 1U7 Bear Lake County ID
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 700 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 11:54 am from KSLC, 36 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSLC 301754Z VRB03KT 10SM FEW070 SCT210 BKN250 12/M06 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP158 T01171061 10117 20044 58010=
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 November 19, 2024. 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 | Photos | PDF, 3 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.