# NTSB DEN84LA297: Windecker Research Eagel AC7, N4198G, Deming, NM, September 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1984, 12:34 local (18:34 UTC)
- Place: Deming, NM
- Coordinates: 32.259384, -107.75035 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2594&lon=-107.7503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16489
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA297
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16489/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA297

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - gear retraction - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE RWY GEAR UP AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT SAID HE ENCOUNTERED A MICROBURST WHICH FORCED THE ACFT TO THE RWY. THERE WERE REPORTED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA. THE PLT ALSO SAID HE IS GOING TO ALTER HIS TAKEOFF PROCEDURESTO RAISING THE LANDING GEAR ONLY AFTER CLEARING THE END OF THE RYW. HE FELT THAT HAVING THE GEAR DOWN WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4198G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4198G), registered now, S/N 007, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Windecker Research EAGEL AC7
- Registry model: [Windecker A/C7](https://openairdocs.org/model/windecker-a-c7) (registry code 9720209) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-550-N](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-n) (registry code 17215, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 007
- Airframe hours: 4850
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald Dietrich
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1984, 20 hours before
- Departed: DMN, DEMING, NM
- Destination: MIDLAND, TX
- Airport: DMN, Deming Municipal, runway 26, 6,578 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,400 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 9,400 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DMN

## 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 19840921050459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840921050459A), Sep 21, 1984: Wndkr AC7, Deming, NM, Substantial damage. Settled back onto runway with gears up. Thunderstorm and blowing dust in vicinity of airport causing downdrafts.

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.

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