Aviat A1 N801RA

Summary

On 10 August 2025 at about 15:11 local time, a Aviat A1 registered N801RA was involved in an accident near Etna, Wyoming, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 August 2025 at 15:11

Classification

Accident

Location

Etna, Wyoming, United States

Nearest airport

Double L Ranch (32WY)

Coordinates

43.0835, -111.0318

Aircraft

Aviat A1

Registration

N801RA

Category

Airplane

Year built

2012

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR25LA247

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s premature rotation at insufficient airspeed during takeoff to avoid an unexpected animal on the runway, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent nose-over during the aborted takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s excessive brake application.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was departing from a private grass airstrip when an animal ran onto the runway. In an attempt to avoid a collision, the pilot applied abrupt back pressure on the control yoke, and the airplane lifted off before reaching a sufficient airspeed for sustained flight. The airplane settled back onto the runway and bounced. With limited runway remaining, the pilot aborted the takeoff and applied heavy braking, and the airplane subsequently nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.