# Accident 20050530016879A: Macchi AM3, Marfa, TX, May 30, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 30, 2005, 18:00 local time
- Place: Marfa, TX
- Airport: Marfa Municipal Airport
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff Ground Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 30.3692° N, 104.0172° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3692&lon=-104.0172&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8ME, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8ME) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aermacchi AM3-C (registry code 5400112, https://openairdocs.org/model/aermacchi-am3-c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming GSO&IGSO-480 series (registry code 41529, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-gso-igso-480-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MACCHI AM3
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 5,855 total, 15 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DFW05CA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA148) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050530016879A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) DURING TAKE OFF ROLL ON RUNWAY 30 AT MARFA TEXAS, A DUST DEVIL PASSED OVER THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE AND IT VEERED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE LEFT ELEVATOR WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT HIT THE PLASI ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY 30. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE PILOT REPORTED THE OCCURRENCE TO THE NTSB, AND IT WAS LISTED AS AN ACCIDENT. A RAMP INSPECTION AT MARFA ON MAY 31, 2005, NOTED THE DAMAGED ELEVATOR CONTROL TAB AND AN OCCURRENCE, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAS OPENED AND COMPLETED IN JUNE 2005. THIS FORM 8020-23, HAS BEEN COMPLETED TO DOWNGRADE THE NTSB ACCIDENT TO AN INCIDENT, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^                                    (-23 AMENDMENT) THE FAA ARRIVED ON SCENE BEFORE IT WAS NOTIFIED BY THE NTSB THAT THIS WAS AN ACCIDENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB DFW05CA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA148), May 31, 2005: Aermacchi Bosbok AM 3-C (N8ME), Marfa, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed, and his premature liftoff resulting in a loss of directional control.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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