# NTSB DFW06CA065: Ralph Sanders Murphy Acft Elite, N560SC, Presidio, TX, February 5, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 5, 2006, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Presidio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.468334, -103.935279
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4683&lon=-103.9353&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Lubbock, Texas
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA065

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command

## Analysis

The 3,000-hour commercial pilot of a single-engine experimental tail-wheel equipped airplane reported that he lost directional control resulting in a ground loop during the takeoff roll on a 5,500-feet long by 80-feet wide asphalt runway.  The winds were reported as light and variable at the time of the accident.  The pilot reported having accumulated a total of 20 hours in the same make and model of airplane and stated that the accident could have been prevented by additional flight training.  The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The 3,000-hour commercial pilot of a single-engine experimental tail-wheel equipped airplane reported that he lost directional control resulting in a ground loop during the takeoff roll on a 5,500-feet long by 80-feet wide asphalt runway.  The winds were reported as light and variable at the time of the accident.  The pilot reported having accumulated a total of 20 hours in the same make and model of airplane and stated that the accident could have been prevented by additional flight training.  The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N560SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N560SC-2012-08-30), registration cancelled 2012-08-30, S/N 561E, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ralph Sanders Murphy Acft Elite
- Registry model: [Sanders Ralph MURPHY ACFT ELITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/sanders-ralph-murphy-acft-elite) (registry code 056112O) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 561
- Airframe hours: 100
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lyle Koen
- Registered owner: Ralph S. Sanders
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, December 1, 2005, 100 hours before
- Departed: 3ET3, Presidio, TX
- Airport: 3TE3, Big Bend Ranch State Park Apt, runway 08, 5,500 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; airline transport, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 20 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 20060205001059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060205001059A), Feb 5, 2006: Amtr MURPHYELITE, Presidio, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 5, 2006, at approximately 10:00 am, the pilot of N560SC, an experimental amateur built aircraft, attempted to takeoff on runway 08 from the…

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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