# Accident 20180414009709A: Smith Dennis P MAGNI M24, La Grange, TX, April 14, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 14, 2018, 13:00 local time
- Place: La Grange, TX
- Airport: Fayette Regional Air Center Ai
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.9017° N, 96.9478° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9017&lon=-96.9478&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3PW, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3PW-2018-08-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Smith Dennis P MAGNI M24 (registry code 05630H6, https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-dennis-p-magni-m24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax SEE BOMBADIER (registry code 55555, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMITH DENNIS P MAGNI M24
- Reported engine: ROTAX 914
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Sport pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,500 total, 450 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA18CA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA217) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180414009709A

## Narrative

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

STATEMENT FROM THE PILOT

JUST AFTER 1:00 PM I DECIDED TO LEAVE THE FLY-IN AND TAXIED TO TAKE OFF ON RUNWAY 34.

WEATHER WAS CLEAR WITH STRONG WINDS FROM THE NORTH:  20 KNOTS WITH GUSTS OVER 25.

I HELD SHORT AT 34 UNTIL AN RV LANDED, THEN STARTED TO MOVE, SLOWLY, TOWARD THE CENTER

OF THE RUNWAY.  BEFORE TURNING RIGHT AND POSITIONING THE GYRO ON THE 34 CENTERLINE,

A STRONG GUST TILTED THE GYRO TO THE LEFT ENOUGH FOR THE ROTOR (IT HAD JUST STARTED THE

PRE-ROTATION AND WAS SLOWLY TURNING AT ABOUT 50 RPM) TO  HIT THE GROUND ON MY LEFT SIDE.

THAT GENERATED THE ACCIDENT THAT, IN ABOUT 3 SECONDS, DAMAGED ROTOR, PROPELLER,

TAIL AND OTHER COMPONENTS.  THE GYRO RESTED ON THE LEFT SIDE AND I EXITED, AFTER TURNING

THE MASTER SWITCH OFF, FROM THE RIGHT DOOR, NOW ABOVE ME.

I HAD NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE OF ANY KIND. NOBODY ELSE WAS EFFECTED.

NO FIRE. NO PARTS WERE THROWN ANYWHERE.

## 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 GAA18CA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA217), Apr 14, 2018: Smith Dennis P Magni M24 (N3PW), La Grange, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control while taxiing onto the runway in gusting wind conditions.

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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