# NTSB DFW05CA148: Aermacchi Bosbok AM 3-C, N8ME, Marfa, TX, May 31, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 30, 2005, 18:00 local (May 31, 2005, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Marfa, TX
- Coordinates: 30.369167, -104.017219
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3692&lon=-104.0172&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61641
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61641/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA148

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed, and his premature liftoff resulting in a loss of directional control.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - vasi light/system

## Analysis

The 5,855-hour private pilot  lost directional control on takeoff and struck a visual approach slope indicator (VASI) light with the left stabilizer/elevator.  The pilot reported: "I believe the cause of the accident was pilot error.  High density altitude and lifting the tail too soon without attaining enough airspeed."

## Factual narrative

On May 30, 2005, at 1800 Central Standard Time, an experimental Aermacchi Bosbok AM 3-C, single engine airplane, N8ME, sustained substantial damage during takeoff at the Marfa Municipal Airport (MRF), near Marfa, Texas.  The private pilot/owner and the passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

In a written statement, the pilot stated that he lost directional control on takeoff from Runway 30 (a 6,214-foot-long and 75 -foot- wide asphalt runway) and struck a visual approach slope indicator (VASI) light with the left stabilizer/elevator.  He stated "I believe the cause of the accident was pilot error.  High density altitude and lifting the tail too soon without attaining enough airspeed."

The pilot reported a total of 5,855 flight hours, of which 15 hours were in the same make and model in the 90 days preceding the accident.

Weather at Marfa Municipal Airport, at 1755, was reported as wind from 260 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 8 miles, clear skies, temperature 84 degrees Fahrenheit, and dewpoint 42 degrees Fahrenheit.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8ME](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8ME), registered now, S/N 2009, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aermacchi Bosbok AM 3-C
- Registry model: [Aermacchi AM3-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/aermacchi-am3-c) (registry code 5400112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GSO&IGSO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-gso-igso-480-series) (registry code 41529, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2009
- Engines: Lycoming GSO-480-B1B3 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John M. Barnett
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: MRF, Marfa, TX
- Destination: ERV, Kerrville, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 5,855 total, 15 in this make and model, 72 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 43 °F

## 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 20050530016879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050530016879A), May 30, 2005: Macchi AM3, Marfa, TX, Minor damage. (-23) During take off roll on runway 30 at Marfa Texas, a dust devil passed over the runway. The pilot lost control of the tailwheel airplane and it veered to…

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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