Amateur-built Teenie Two accident near Chehalis, Washington, September 11, 2025
On September 11, 2025 at about 7:15 pm local time, a 2013 amateur-built Teenie Two, registered N311TS, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Chehalis, Washington (Chehalis-Centralia airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum allowable gross weight, which degraded its climb performance and led to a subsequent off airport landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 11, 2025 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Chehalis, Washington · Chehalis-Centralia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Teenie Two, built 2013
- Registration
- N311TS · no longer on the register · serial 16-215
- 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 he filled his fuel tanks to full, for the first time since purchasing the airplane, to conduct a flight test to calculate fuel burn rate. A weight and balance calculation provided by the pilot showed that the airplane was over the maximum gross weight by about 25 lbs. During takeoff initial climb, he observed that the airplane was not climbing as he expected and realized he would not be able to clear the trees or powerlines ahead of his position. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a grass covered field, however, during the approach, he observed that the landing distance available was too short and landed with a side slip to arrest the airplane’s forward movement. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to wings and fuselage. The pilot that there were no preaccident 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
- Off-field or emergency landing during initial climb
- Miscellaneous/other during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Maximum weight › Capability exceeded
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Performance calculations › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 50.8 hours in all; 5.2 in this make and model; 34 in the last 90 days; 17.8 in the last 30 days; 11 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 3, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 93.9 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 1, 2025
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen 1600 Dual Por (piston); 94 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CLS Chehalis WA at 7:13 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16/3, 5,000 ft by 140 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,600 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 12:15 pm from KCLS, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KCLS 111915Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM OVC016 17/15 A3005 RMK AO2=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 4 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – View of accident airplane
Photograph 2 – View of left-wing damage
Photograph 3 – View of right-wing damage
Photograph 4 – View of displaced fuselageThe 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
5 documents, released by the NTSB on March 5, 2026. 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, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Weight and Balance Calculated by Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Weight and Balance Sheet | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 5 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.