Loss of Control on Ground: Baking Duce, N9898R; accident occurred April 01, 2017 at Cochise County Airport (P33), Willcox, Arizona

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:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

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)