# NTSB FTW96LA170: Explorer Post 51 AA Cubette, N7891, Dell City, TX, April 14, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1996, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Dell City, TX
- Coordinates: 31.930393, -105.200897 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9304&lon=-105.2009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19804/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA170

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during a go-around.  Factors were the gusty wind and the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he had just bought the airplane and was returning to his home in California.  He planned to stop at Dell City for fuel.  While attempting to land on runway 26, the aircraft encountered a gust of wind and the pilot decided to go around.  During the go-around, the airplane impacted a power line that paralleled the left side of the runway and located approximately 800 feet from the centerline of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On April 14, 1996, at 0900 mountain daylight time, an Explorer Post 51 AA Cubette, N7891, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91 was substantially damaged following impact with a power pole near Dell City, Texas.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight and a flight plan was not filed.  The private pilot was not injured.  The flight originated from Carlsbad, New Mexico, approximately 30 minutes before the accident.

The pilot reported that he had just bought the airplane and was returning to his home in California.  The pilot planned to stop at Dell City Municipal Airport in Dell City, Texas, for fuel.  While attempting to land on runway 26, a gust of wind struck the aircraft, and the pilot decided to go-around.  During the go-around, the airplane impacted a power line that paralleled the left side of the runway and sustained structural damage to the fuselage and the wings.  The power line is located approximately 800 feet from the centerline of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7891 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EXPLORER POST 51 AA CUBETTE
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 582
- Engines: Lycoming O-145B2 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Benedict C. Favrholdt
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1995, 6 hours before
- Departed: CNM, CARLSBAD, NM
- Destination: 2E5
- Airport: 2E5, Dell City Muni, runway 26, 4,685 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,150 total, 6 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19960414007239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960414007239A), Apr 14, 1996: Amtrxp CUBETTEAA, Dell City, TX, Substantial damage. Landing for fuel hit by wind gust. Began go around. Hit power line paralelling runway. Wires 800FT from runway. (-23) pilot favorholdt stated that he was…

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.

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