# NTSB CEN15LA252: Michael Wilson Murphy Spirit, N193MW, Livingston, TX, April 26, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 2015, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Livingston, TX - Coordinates: 30.685832, -95.018058 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6858&lon=-95.0181&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern crosswind: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 26, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91266 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA252 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91266/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91266 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA252 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which increased the induced drag and led to the engine having insufficient power to overcome the drag and climb the airplane and resulted in a forced landing and the subsequent collapse of the main landing gear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wilson Michael T MURPHY SPIRIT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05616FH), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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: [Wilson Michael T MURPHY SPIRIT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05616FH), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Wilson Michael T MURPHY SPIRIT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=05616FH), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure; cases with it: [Wilson Michael T MURPHY SPIRIT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=05616FH), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern crosswind: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Wilson Michael T MURPHY SPIRIT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=05616FH), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Wilson Michael T MURPHY SPIRIT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05616FH), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that, during a high-speed taxi test, the amateur-built tailwheel-equipped airplane unexpectedly became airborne. He chose to continue flight rather than risk an overrun while attempting to stop on the remaining runway. When the airplane crossed trees while in the traffic pattern, it experienced a "loss of lift," and the pilot subsequently executed a landing in a field parallel to the runway. During the landing, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane then skidded to a stop. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane and that the airplane and engine performed as expected. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot allowed the airspeed to decrease, which increased the induced drag and led to the engine not having sufficient power to overcome the drag and climb the airplane. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 2015, about 1000 central standard time, an amateur-built Murphy Rebel airplane, N193MW, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after takeoff from runway 12 at the Livingston Municipal Airport, Livingston, Texas. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane's fuselage and right lower wing received damage. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight originated just prior to the accident. The pilot reported that during a high-speed taxi test on runway 12, the amateur-built airplane unexpectedly became airborne. He elected to continue flight rather than risk an overrun while attempting to stop on the remaining runway. He reported that the airplane and engine performed as expected, but he experienced a "loss of lift" while crossing trees northeast of the runway. The pilot applied forward stick and attempted to land in a field parallel to runway 30. The tailwheel equipped airplane's main landing gear collapsed during the landing and the airplane incurred substantial damage to the fuselage and right lower wing. The pilot report indicated that the airplane was powered by a converted Subaru E-81 automobile engine that could produce 105 horsepower. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N193MW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N193MW-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 0193 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MICHAEL WILSON MURPHY SPIRIT - Registry model: [Wilson Michael T MURPHY SPIRIT](https://openairdocs.org/model/wilson-michael-t-murphy-spirit) (registry code 05616FH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0193 - Year built: 1989 - Airframe hours: 10 - Engines: Subaru E-81 105 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 26, 2015, 10 hours before - Departed: 00R, Livingston, TX - Destination: 00R, Livingston, TX - Airport: 00R, Livingston Muni, runway 12, 3,704 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 450 total, 150 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: K6R3, 20 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20150426006449I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150426006449I), Apr 26, 2015: Wilson Michael T MURPHY SPIRIT, Livingston, TX, Minor damage. Pilot/builder made modifications to brake pedals and was performing a high speed taxi in order to test brakes. Pilot stated the aircraft un-intentionally… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 9, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91266. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437577&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.