# NTSB DFW06CA129: Mahoney Evans VP-1, N72260, Corpus Christi, TX, May 18, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 18, 2006, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Corpus Christi, TX - Coordinates: 27.6527777777778, -97.525 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6528&lon=-97.5250&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FSDO, Houston, TX - NTSB case key (mKey): 63706 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63706/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA129 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. A contributing factor was the dust devil/whirlwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The 206-hour private pilot reported that he had just taken off from runway 17 at a private airstrip when "at approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL), a gust of wind from the left blew the airplane knife edge." The pilot stated that he "attempted to correct with hard left rudder and left stick." However, at the time he applied the corrections the gust of wind had subsided and he began to enter a "slow left spiral." The pilot added that he made several attempts to stop the spin; however, he was unsuccessful and the aircraft impacted the ground in a left wing low, nose down attitude. The pilot reported that there were "dust devils" in the area prior to takeoff and that he thought he had encountered one and overcorrected. According to the pilot, the engine and flight controls were functioning correctly, at the time of the accident. The automated weather observation facility at located approximately 7 nautical miles north of the accident site reported winds from 200 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 17 knots. ## Factual narrative The 206-hour private pilot reported that he had just taken off from runway 17 at a private airstrip when "at approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL), a gust of wind from the left blew the airplane knife edge." The pilot stated that he "attempted to correct with hard left rudder and left stick." However, at the time he applied the corrections the gust of wind had subsided and he began to enter a "slow left spiral." The pilot added that he made several attempts to stop the spin; however, he was unsuccessful and the aircraft impacted the ground in a left wing low, nose down attitude. The pilot reported that there were "dust devils" in the area prior to takeoff and that he thought he had encountered one and overcorrected. According to the pilot, the engine and flight controls were functioning correctly, at the time of the accident. The automated weather observation facility at located approximately 7 nautical miles north of the accident site reported winds from 200 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72260](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72260-2009-04-09), registration cancelled 2009-04-09, S/N TM003, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mahoney Evans VP-1 - Registry model: [Mahoney Timothy L EVANS VP-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/mahoney-timothy-l-evans-vp-1) (registry code 05604WR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: TM003 - Airframe hours: 90 - Engines: Volkswagen 1915cc reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 1, 2005 - Departed: 69TA, Corpus Christi, TX - Destination: Corpus Christi, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review January 1, 2006; seat: single; flight hours: 206 total, 4 in this make and model, 206 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 13 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: CRP, 7 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 20060518008439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060518008439A), May 18, 2006: Amtr VP1, Corpus Christi, TX, Destroyed. (-23) Shortly after departure from a Private strip, 5 miles south of Corpus Christi, the pilot reported that a dust devil hit his left wind and there was no… 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.