# NTSB FTW95LA221: Piper PA-18A-180, N7808Z, Westcliffe, CO, May 27, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 1995, 15:22 local (21:22 UTC) - Place: Westcliffe, CO - Coordinates: 38.129898, -105.45964 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1299&lon=-105.4596&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19438 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19438/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA221 ## 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). - On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (cause) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis DURING TAKEOFF ROLL, AT A SPEED OF 45 TO 50 MILES PER HOUR, THE AIRPLANE 'VEERED HARD RIGHT.' THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE TO HIS CONTROL INPUTS. THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, IMPACTED A DIRT BANK, NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. DUST DEVILS WERE OBSERVED MOVING ACROSS THE AIRPORT AROUND THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES REPORTING NO VISIBLE DUST ASSOCIATED WITH THE DUST DEVILS STATED THAT FOLDING CHAIRS AND LOOSE OBJECTS WERE TOSSED AROUND. ## Factual narrative On May 27, 1995, at 1522 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18A- 180, N7808Z, impacted a dirt bank following an encounter with a dust devil during takeoff near Westcliffe, Colorado. The commercial pilot received minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. No flight plan was filed for the glider towing flight conducted by High Flights Soaring Club, Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which was originating when the accident occurred. According to the pilot, the airplane was departing on runway 31 at Silver West Airport and had reached a speed of 45 to 50 miles per hour when it "immediately veered hard right, and the left wing lifted." The pilot stated that he attempted to correct with full left aileron and rudder, but "there did not appear to be any response to my control inputs." The airplane exited the right side of the runway, impacted a dirt bank, nosed over and came to rest inverted. The glider being towed released and landed without incident. The pilot and six witnesses reported observing dust devils moving across the airport around the time of the accident. One witness stated that during the afternoon, "gusts" passed through the area that were described as "thermals (dustdevils)." That witness also stated that "although there was no visible dust" it "tossed folding chairs and loose articles around." The glider pilot reported that after he released the tow rope and passed the tow plane he "entered strong lift and went up to 20-30 feet." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7808Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7808Z), registered now, S/N 18-8485, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-8485 - Airframe hours: 15560 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: High Flights Soaring Club, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1995, 16 hours before - Departed: 4CO3 - Airport: 4C03, Silver West, runway 31, 7,000 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,066 total, 185 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - 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 19950527049459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950527049459A), May 27, 1995: Piper PA18150, Westcliffe, CO, Substantial damage. (-16) On may 27, 1995, at 1510 mountain daylight time aircraft was towing a glider and as aircraft lifted off of runway 31 it encountered a severe wind gust… ## Other investigations on N7808Z (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 CEN12LA522](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA522), Aug 1, 2012: Piper PA18 (N7808Z), Peyton, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during taxi in gusting wind conditions. 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.