# NTSB DFW05LA016: Wilson Loenslo YMF-80, N6254A, Arcola, TX, November 5, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 5, 2004, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Arcola, TX - Coordinates: 29.509166, -95.470558 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5092&lon=-95.4706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60514 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60514/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA016 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin during takeoff initial climb. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, the airplane was observed on a pronounced nose-high climb attitude. Subsequently, the airplane stalled and impacted the terrain in a nose low attitude approximately 1,000 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Witnesses observed the airplane in a very steep climb attitude to an altitude of approximately 500 feet above ground level then start to spin in a clockwise rotation as it descended behind a tree line. Flight control continuity was established throughout the airplane at the accident site and no mechanical anomalies were noted with airframe. The accident flight was the first flight in the airplane by the 328-hour pilot since the airplane was reassembled. ## Factual narrative On November 5, 2004, approximately 1500 central standard time, an amateur-built Wilson Loenslo YMF-80 tailwheel-equipped single-engine airplane, N6254A, was destroyed upon impact with terrain following a loss of control during initial takeoff climb from the Houston Southwest Airport (AXH), near Arcola, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot/builder. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that several witnesses located at AXH observed the airplane in a very pronounced nose-high climb attitude shortly after takeoff from runway 27 (5,003-foot long and 100-foot wide asphalt runway). At an approximately altitude of 500 feet above ground level (agl), the airplane was observed starting to spin in a clockwise rotation and descending behind a tree line. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain in a nose-low attitude approximately 1,000 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. The FAA inspector stated that the airplane was initially built in 1999, and flown for approximately eight hours in 2000, by the 328-hour pilot, who was also the builder of the airplane. The airplane was disassembled in 2003, and transported to Arcola before being reassembled by the pilot. The accident flight was the first flight since the airplane was reassembled. Examination of the wreckage of the airplane at the accident site by the FAA inspector confirmed that the airplane impacted soft ground in a nose-low attitude. The Subaru automotive engine was found partly embedded in the soft ground. All of the main components of the airframe were found within the main wreckage, and flight control continuity was established to all flight controls. At 1453, the Automated Surface Observing System at the Sugar Land Regional Airport, near Sugar Land, Texas, located approximately 11 nautical miles northwest of the accident site reported variable wind at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky condition clear, temperature 71 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.25 inches of Mercury. Despite several attempts by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot did not provide the Safety Board with a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6254A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6254A-2008-09-16), registration cancelled 2008-09-16, S/N 566786524, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wilson Loenslo YMF-80 - Registry model: [Wilson Michael T LOENSLO YMF-80](https://openairdocs.org/model/wilson-michael-t-loenslo-ymf-80) (registry code 05607VN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 566786524 - Engines: Subaru ALL MDLS A/B 105 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael T. Wilson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: AXH, Arcola, TX - Airport: AXH, Houston Southwest Airport, runway 27, 5,003 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 329 total, 8 in this make and model, 39 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: KSGR, 11 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 20041105028909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041105028909A), Nov 5, 2004: Amtr YMF80, Houston, TX, Destroyed. (-23) On November 05, 2004 at approximately 15:00 hours, the wilson loenslo model YMF-80 was destroyed upon impact following a departure takeoff from runway 27… 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.