FTW91LA075

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 337D · Alpine, TX · May 2, 1991

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report

Date: May 2, 1991, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
Place: Alpine, TX
Injuries: 1 uninjured
Damage: Substantial damage
Phase of flight: Initial climb
Aircraft: N86116Cessna 337D
Weather: Visual (VMC) · Day
Status: Completed · report March 31, 1993
Report: Approved by Office Director
FAA report: 19910502014559A
Case key: 23330

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor was the pilot's continued takeoff in unfavorable wind.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight encounter with weatherTakeoff - initial climb

Weather condition - unfavorable windFactor

Flight into known adverse weather - continuedPilot in commandFactor

Loss of control - in flightTakeoff - initial climb

In flight collision with objectTakeoff - initial climb

Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause

Object - tree(s)

Analysis

The pilot stated he noticed a dust devil during takeoff and flew into it shortly after liftoff. He lost control of the airplane and as it drifted off of the dirt airstrip center line one wing came into contact with a tall cactus. The airplane veered left and impacted the ground.

Aircraft

Registration: N86116
Reported as: Cessna 337D
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 337-1085
Engine: Continental IO-360-C/D, 210 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Operator: Kenneth G. Clouse
Registered owner: Kenneth G. Clouse
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Airport: E44 · Taurus Mesa, runway 36, 3,600 × 100 ft, dirt

N86116Registration cancelled Feb 25, 1998 · Cessna 337DS/N 3371085 Airframe modelCessna 337D

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 47
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Instrument ratings: Airplane
Medical: Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat: Left
Flight hours: 1,800 total · 60 in this make and model · 25 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Visibility: 10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 19910502014559ACessna 337D · Alpine, TXLost control on liftoff. Drifted off runway. Wing hit cactus causing crash. Blamed a dust devil for accident.May 2, 1991 · N86116 · Substantial damage