# NTSB FTW96LA211: Boeing E75, N4787V, Taos, NM, May 11, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 11, 1996, 11:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Taos, NM - Coordinates: 36.380989, -105.570106 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3810&lon=-105.5701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 17, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19837 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19837/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA211 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the dust devil. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis Unicom reported, and a flag at the north end of the airport indicated, that the wind was light and variable from the northwest. As the pilot turned on final approach to runway 4, the wind caused the airplane to drift slightly right of the runway centerline. The pilot corrected and made a wheel landing. As speed dissipated below 50 mph and the tail wheel settled to the ground, the airplane shuddered slightly, then veered to the right. Full right aileron, left rudder, and left brake were applied but to no avail. The left wing contacted the ground and the airplane went off the right side of the runway into soft dirt, shearing off the left main landing gear. The pilot said another pilot reported seeing a dust devil on the south side of the airport just before the accident occurred. ## Factual narrative On May 11, 1996, approximately 1140 mountain daylight time, a Boeing E75, N4787V, registered to Golden Wings Advertising, Inc., was substantially damaged during landing at Taos, New Mexico. The airline transport pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local air tour flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Taos, New Mexico at approximately 1125. According to the pilot, Unicom reported the wind to be light and variable from the northwest. As he entered the pattern, a flag at the north end of the airport also indicated the wind was from the northwest. When he turned on final approach, the wind caused the airplane to drift slightly right of the runway centerline. He corrected and made a normal wheel landing on runway 4. As speed dissipated (under 50 mph) and the tail wheel settled to the ground, the airplane "shuddered slightly." The airplane suddenly veered to the right and the right wing rose. Full right aileron and left rudder were applied but to no avail. The left brake was applied and locked but the airplane continued to veer right. The left wing contacted the runway and the airplane went off the right side of the runway into soft dirt, shearing off the left main landing gear. The pilot said another pilot told him that they had seen a dust devil on the south side of the airport just before the accident occurred. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4787V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4787V), registered now, S/N 75-5814, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing E75 - Registry model: [Boeing E75](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-e75) (registry code 1380120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-5814 - Airframe hours: 3300 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Golden Wings Advertising, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 10, 1995, 65 hours before - Departed: SKX - Airport: SKX, Taos Municipal, runway 4, 5,798 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 17,850 total, 206 in this make and model, 9,720 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SKX ## 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 19960511010209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960511010209A), May 11, 1996: Boeing E75, Taos, NM, Substantial damage. Ground looped off runway landing. Dragged wing and sheared off left main gear. Dust devil reported in area. (-23) during the landing rollout, shifty, gusty… ## Other investigations on N4787V (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 WPR09CA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA265), May 17, 2009: Boeing E75 (N4787V), Cottonwood, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswinds during the landing roll. 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.