# NTSB DFW07CA072: American Legend AL-11, N2480, Dryden, TX, February 17, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 17, 2007, 10:37 local (16:37 UTC) - Place: Dryden, TX - Coordinates: 30.0461111111111, -102.212777777778 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0461&lon=-102.2128&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 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 65312 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65312/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA072 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind conditions and failure to maintain proper runway alignment. ## 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 - weather condition - gusts - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The the tailwheel-equipped a single-engine airplane veered off the runway and drug a wingtip during the takeoff roll. Local law enforcement personnel that responded to the accident site reported that they were told by the pilot of the airplane that they were attempting to take off from the 4,525-foot long, by 75-foot wide asphalt runway, when a gust of wind "forced the airplane off the runway." The pilot further stated that he noticed "a virtual wall of tall mesquite-like scrub trees, near my right wingtip" as another gust of wind blew the airplane further to the right. The pilot believes that he "pulled back on the stick, causing the airplane to stall." The right wingtip proceeded to strike the ground followed by the left wingtip and then the aircraft nose section. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and engine mounts during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that the winds were from 360 degrees at 11 knots. Another weather report listed the wind from 020 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 29 knots. At 1253, the automatic weather recorded at the airport was reporting winds from 030 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane lost control of the single-engine airplane during the takeoff roll from runway 04. The pilot and his pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The light sport airplane was registered to and operated by the owner, who was occupying the front seat of the tandem fabric covered airplane. Local law enforcement personnel, that responded to the accident site, reported that they were told by the owner of the airplane that they were attempting to take off from the 4,525-foot long, by 75-foot wide asphalt runway, when a gust of wind "forced the airplane off the runway." The 466-hours pilot, who reported having accumulated 22 hours in the make and model, further stated that he noticed "a virtual wall of tall mesquite-like scrub trees, near my right wingtip" as another gust of wind blew the airplane further to the right. The pilot believes that he "pulled back on the stick, causing the airplane to stall." The right wingtip proceeded to strike the ground followed by the left wingtip and then the aircraft nose section. The airplane, which was reported to have accumulated a total of 33 hours since new, sustained structural damage to the left wing and engine mounts during the accident sequence. At around the time of the accident, the owner of the airplane reported that the winds were from 360 degrees at 11 knots. Another weather report reported the wind from 020 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 29 knots. At 1253, the automatic weather recorded at the airport was reporting winds from 030 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2480](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2480), registered now, S/N AL-1068 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: American Legend AL-11 - Registry model: [American Legend AL11](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-legend-al11) (registry code 060002N) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AL-1068 - Engines: Jabiru 3300a 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Timothy B. McCanlies - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 1, 2007 - Departed: 6R6, Dryden, TX - Destination: 89TE, Lajitas, TX - Airport: 6R6, Terrell County, runway 4, 4,525 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 466 total, 22 in this make and model, 235 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.42 inHg ## 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 20070217002599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070217002599A), Feb 17, 2007: Amcnlg AL11, Dryden, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) During take off in gusty winds the pilot lost directional control. The left wing contacted the ground and the aircraft subsequently crashed. 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.