Probable cause
The pilot's inadvertent premature rotation during takeoff.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the amateur-built Zenair CH 701SP was departing from a turf runway. He reported that he pulled the control stick back too far in an effort to reduce the weight on the nose wheel, which resulted in the airplane becoming airborne prematurely. The airplane did not have enough airspeed for the pilot to be able to maintain directional control. It turned left, descended, and struck trees located off the left side of the runway. He did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane, nor were any found during post-accident examination.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for NYC08CA294 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 22, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fincastle, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Barrows (VA04)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built ZENAIR CH
- N-number
- N404BB
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.