# NTSB FTW02CA206: Aero Commander Callair A-9B, N7791V, El Paso, TX, July 13, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 13, 2002, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: El Paso, TX - Coordinates: 31.719722, -106.239166 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7197&lon=-106.2392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 4, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55213 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02CA206 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55213/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55213 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02CA206 ## Probable cause the loss of control due to the encounter with the dust devil. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis While attempting to land, the pilot saw a dust devil approximately 50 to 100 feet directly in front of him over the runway. Being too low to turn, he applied full power and attempted to fly through the dust devil. When the airplane pitched up and went into a left climbing turn, he applied full right aileron and rudder in an attempt to control the airplane. Witnesses observed the airplane pitch up and make a 270 degree left turn. The airplane became inverted and impacted the ground on its nose, bounced, and came to rest on its main landing gear. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 2002, approximately 1530 mountain daylight time, an Aero Commander Callair A-9B single-engine airplane, N7791V, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following an encounter with a dust devil during landing at the West Texas Airport near El Paso, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the El Paso Soaring Society of El Paso. The airline transport pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 glider tow flight. The local flight originated from the West Texas Airport, approximately 1510. The pilot reported that while attempting to land on runway 8, he saw a dust devil approximately 50 to 100 feet directly in front of him over the runway. Due to heavy rain, which had passed through the area, the dust devils were not picking up sand as usual. All he saw was a couple of sheets of flying paper. Being too low to turn, he applied full power and attempted to fly through the dust devil. When the airplane pitched up and went into a left climbing turn due to the cyclonic effect, he applied full right aileron and rudder in an attempt to control the airplane. Witnesses observed the airplane pitch up and make a 270 degree left turn. The airplane became inverted and impacted the ground on its nose, bounced, and came to rest 150 feet north of the runway on its main landing gear facing south. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that both wings were structurally damaged, and the engine was displaced into the firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7791V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7791V-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 1544, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander Callair A-9B - Registry model: [Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-callair-a-9b) (registry code 0144206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1544 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: El Paso Soaring Society - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: T27, El Paso, TX - Airport: T27, West Texas, runway 8, 7,505 × 50 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: serious; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 28, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 14,500 total, 800 in this make and model, 14,200 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °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 20020713015069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020713015069A), Jul 13, 2002: Gulstm CALLAIRA9B, El Paso, TX, No damage. (-23) On July 13, 2002, at 1530 MDT, an aero commander calair-A-9B, N7791V, registered to the El Paso soaring society, collided into the ground after… ## Other investigations on N7791V (1) 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. - [NTSB IAD75FID01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD75FID01), Jul 18, 1974: Callair A-9B (N7791V), Temperancevl, VA, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 24, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55213. 607 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 607 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461724&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.