Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Willcox, Arizona
Accident Number: GAA17CA214
Date & Time: April 1, 2017, 11:54 Local
Registration: N9898R
Aircraft: RONALD J BENDER BAKING DUCE
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Ferry
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll and as he pulled the power to idle and lowered the tail, he raised the flaps and that the airplane then encountered a "sudden and strong wind" that caused it to weather-vane. Subsequently, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nose down.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both right and left wings and both lift struts.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll after encountering a dirt devil.
Findings
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Environmental issues Dust devil/whirlwind - Ability to respond/compensate
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-landing roll Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Landing-landing roll Runway excursion
Landing-landing roll Nose over/nose down
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 47, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: March 3, 2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: September 2, 2016
Flight Time: (Estimated) 991 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2 hours (Total, this make and model), 922 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 38 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 17 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: RONALD J BENDER
Registration: N9898R
Model/Series: BAKING DUCE NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: 0001
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: March 25, 2017 Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 12 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: O-290-G
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 125 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSAD,3176 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 39 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 18:51 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 20°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 290°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.92 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 15°C / -2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: LORDSBURG, NM (LSB)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Willcox, AZ (P33)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 11:00 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: COCHISE COUNTY P33
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 4187 ft msl
Runway Surface
Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 21
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6095 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop;Traffic pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 32.244445,-109.895553(est)
NTSB Identification: GAA17CA214
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, April 01, 2017 in Willcox, AZ
Aircraft: RONALD J BENDER BAKING DUCE, registration: N9898R
Injuries: 1 Minor.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll as he pulled the power to idle and lowered the tail, he raised the flaps and the airplane encountered a "sudden and strong wind" that caused the airplane to weather-vane. Subsequently, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nose down.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both right and left wings and both lift struts.
The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
On Saturday, April 1, at about noon, the Cochise County Sheriff's Office was advised of a “plane crash” at the Cochise County Airport, Carol Capas, spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, said.
Sheriff's deputies responded, along with Willcox Fire Department, and located a single-engine airplane that appeared to have significant damage. The 55-year-old pilot and sole occupant received a head injury on impact but refused transport to a hospital, said Capas.
The initial information received indicates that the aircraft took off from Lordsburg Municipal Airport, New Mexico, enroute to Casa Grande Municipal Airport, Arizona.
The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified and will continue the investigation.
This is the second hard landing in the Willcox area in less than a month. The other was between Bowie and San Simon. There were no injuries.
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