# NTSB CEN15LA059: Ross H/Herriott M Vans Aircraft RV 3, N625ZH, Las Cruces, NM, November 24, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 24, 2014, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Las Cruces, NM - Coordinates: 32.309585, -107.060974 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3096&lon=-107.0610&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 90423 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90423/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90423 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA059 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain adequate familiarization in the accident airplane type before the accident. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ross H/Herriott M VANS AIRCRAFT RV-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05604CJ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ross H/Herriott M VANS AIRCRAFT RV-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05604CJ), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ross H/Herriott M VANS AIRCRAFT RV-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05604CJ), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ross H/Herriott M VANS AIRCRAFT RV-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05604CJ), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Ross H/Herriott M VANS AIRCRAFT RV-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05604CJ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis Several witnesses reported that they observed the airplane make a steep climb shortly after takeoff and that the airplane then made two 90-degree left bank turns to enter the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. During the turns, the airplane's wings were rocking back and forth, the airplane was in a nose-high attitude and not climbing, and the flight control surfaces were moving. The airplane then began another left turn, the left wing dropped, and the airplane spun toward the ground. One witness reported that the engine sounded normal throughout the flight. A friend of the pilot stated that the pilot had purchased the airplane 2 days before the accident and had no previous flight experience in the airplane make and model. He estimated that the pilot had only flown the airplane about 4.0 hours before the accident. Based on witness accounts, there were no preaccident anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Therefore, it is likely that the pilot lost control of the airplane while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a stall/spin. It is also likely that the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane type contributed to his failure to maintain airplane control during the turns. Although postaccident toxicology tests detected a low level of marijuana in the pilot's blood, liver, and lung, it is unlikely that it impaired his performance on the day of the accident. ## Factual narrative On November 24, 2014, about 1245 mountain standard time, N625ZH, an experimental-homebuilt Ross Vans Aircraft RV-3, sustained substantial damage shortly after takeoff from Las Cruces International Airport (LRU), Las Cruces, New Mexico. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that was destined for Dona Ana County Airport (5T6), Santa Teresa, New Mexico. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors performed an on-scene examination of the airplane and interviewed numerous witnesses. The witnesses provided similar accounts as to what they observed. One witness stated that he watched the pilot from the time he entered the airplane up until the accident. He said the pilot performed an engine run-up before takeoff and everything was normal. The pilot then taxied onto the runway, stopped, added full power and lifted off in about 800 feet. The witness said the pilot immediately started a steep angle of climb and the airplane's wings began "shuttering." The airplane made a 90-degree left turn onto crosswind. When the pilot rolled level, the wings were "wobbling" and the airplane was in a nose high attitude and not climbing. The pilot then made another 90 degree turn onto downwind, and the wings were again still "wobbling." The witness said he thought that the pilot was making another left turn and was going to fly over the terminal when the airplane stalled. The pilot was able to recover, and got the wings level. The witness said the pilot entered another left turn and that is when the airplane's left wing "dropped into a spin and impacted the ground." He said that when the airplane was in the 90 degree bank turns, he could see that the controls were being moved. The airplane was traveling about 65 knots from takeoff through the last turn and the engine sounded normal from takeoff to impact. Another witness said that when the airplane began to spin, it made 1 to 1.5 rotations before it impacted a road in front of the airport's terminal building. There was no post-impact fire. A friend of the pilot stated that the pilot had purchased the airplane two days before the accident and had no previous flight experience in an RV-3. The friend estimated that from the time the pilot purchased the airplane up until the time of the accident, he had flown the airplane about 4.0 hours. Weather reported at the airport at 1335 was reported as wind from 290 degrees at 7 knots variable between 240 degrees and 300 degree, 10 miles visibility, and clear skies. The pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single and multi-engine land and instrument airplane. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Second Class medical certificate was issued on August 28, 2014. At that time, the pilot reported a total of 1,000 flight hours.Toxicological testing was conducted by the FAA Accident Research Laboratory in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The specimens tested positive for the following: Tetrahydrocannabinol (Marihuana) detected in Lung Tetrahydrocannabinol (Marihuana) detected in Liver Tetrahydrocannabinol (Marihuana) NOT detected in Blood 0.1325 (ug/ml, ug/g) Tetrahydrocannabinol Carboxylic Acid (Marihuana) detected in Liver 0.0144 (ug/ml, ug/g) Tetrahydrocannabinol Carboxylic Acid (Marihuana) detected in Lung 0.003 (ug/ml, ug/g) Tetrahydrocannabinol Carboxylic Acid (Marihuana) detected in Blood An autopsy was conducted on the pilot by the University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Office of the Medical Investigator on November 25, 2014. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N625ZH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N625ZH-2016-01-21), registration cancelled 2016-01-21, S/N 11299 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROSS H/HERRIOTT M VANS AIRCRAFT RV 3 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Ross H/Herriott M VANS AIRCRAFT RV-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/ross-h-herriott-m-vans-aircraft-rv-3) (registry code 05604CJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 11299 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 291 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tyler Francis - Registered owner: Tyler Francis - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 3, 2014 - Departed: LRU, Las Cruces, NM - Destination: 5T6, SANTA TERESA, NM - Airport: LRU, Las Cruces International, runway 26, 6,069 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: LRU ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20141124020449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141124020449A), Nov 24, 2014: Ross H/Herriott M VANS AIRCRAFT RV-3, Las Cruces, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Witnesses stated after lift-off a steep angle of climb was initiated to an altitude of approximately 500 feet, followed by a left 60 to 90 degree bank turning… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90423. 372 KB in all. - FAA Inspector's Written Statement (item 1, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428289&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Written%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428290&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 3, .PDF, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.