# NTSB DEN04LA146: Smith Aerostar 601P, N11BE, Lordsberg, NM, September 21, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 2004, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Lordsberg, NM - Coordinates: 32.332778, -108.683891 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3328&lon=-108.6839&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 60173 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60173/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA146 ## Probable cause aircraft control not maintained by the pilot. Contributing to the accident was the dirt devil/whirlwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the take off roll from runway 12, the airplane "veered 30 degrees to the right, departed the runway, and came to rest a couple of hundred yards away in sagebrush," causing substantial damage. The pilot stated that prior to the take-off roll, he observed the wind sock "hanging down indicating a no-wind situation." The winds 33 miles northeast of the airport were reported as 250 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 17 knots. According to a witness, the airplane got caught in a whirlwind. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On September 21, 2004, at approximately 1300 mountain daylight time, a Smith Aerostar 601P, N11BE, operated by Campground Brokers Inc., was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff roll at Lordsburg Municipal Airport, Lordsburg (LSB), New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The business flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot reported no injuries. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Phoenix, Arizona. According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, during take off roll from runway 12, the airplane "veered 30 degrees to the right, departed the runway, and came to rest a couple of hundred yards away in sagebrush." Both landing gear folded, both propellers were damaged and the right wing spar was bent. The pilot stated that prior to the take-off roll, he observed the wind sock "hanging down indicating a no-wind situation." The winds at Grant County Airport, 33 miles northeast of LSB were reported as 250 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 17 knots. According to a witness, the airplane got caught in a whirlwind. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11BE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11BE-2005-06-01), registration cancelled 2005-06-01, S/N 61P-0203-017, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Smith Aerostar 601P - Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601p) (registry code 8360608) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 61P-0203-017 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming IO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LSB, Lordsberg, NM - Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ - Airport: LSB, Lordsburg Muni, runway 12, 5,011 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 2, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 4,062 total, 1,058 in this make and model, 4,010 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 250° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: SVC, 1 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). - [Accident 20040921023229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040921023229A), Sep 21, 2004: Piper PA60601P, Lordsburg, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 21, 2004 at 1300 MDT a Aerostar 601P, N11BE registered to campground brokers inc., departed the runway on takeoff at Lordsburg airport,… 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.