# NTSB FTW97LA179: Callair A2A, N2915V, Grants, NM, May 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 6, 1997, 10:35 local (16:35 UTC) - Place: Grants, NM - Coordinates: 35.150299, -107.83078 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1503&lon=-107.8308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20211 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20211/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA179 ## Probable cause Inadvertent stall. Factors were the ground depression, the high density altitude, and a lack of recent experience in the make and model of aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis During the takeoff initial climb, the pilot 'felt a loss of lift during the climb toward rising terrain and the airplane stalled as he pulled the nose up.' The airplane descended uncontrolled into a terrain depression (30 feet across and 50 feet deep) located approximately 1/2 mile beyond the end of the runway. With an airport elevation of 6,521 feet and a temperature of 62 degrees Fahrenheit, the density altitude was calculated at 8,200 feet. The pilot reported 22 hours total time in the make and model of airplane with no flight time in the previous 90 days in this airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 6, 1997, at 1035 mountain daylight time, a Callair A2A, N2915V, owned by a private individual and flown by a private pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91, impacted the terrain following a loss of lift during takeoff near Grants, New Mexico. The private pilot received serious injuries and the sole passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned cross country flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Telephone interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge (IIC), revealed that the pilot "felt a loss of lift during the climb toward rising terrain and the airplane stalled as he pulled the nose up." The airplane descended uncontrolled into a terrain depression. Local authorities and the airport manager reported that a natural terrain depression (30 feet across and 50 feet deep) located approximately 1/2 mile beyond the end of runway 31 was known by the local pilots as a "loss of lift, sink hole area." With an airport elevation of 6,521 feet and a temperature of 62 degrees Fahrenheit, the IIC calculated the density altitude at 8,200 feet. Structural damage occurred to the fuselage and the wings. The pilot reported 22 hours total time in the make and model of airplane. He reported 30 hours of flight time in the previous 90 days (none in the Callair). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2915V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2915V), registered now, S/N 131 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Callair A2A - Registry model: [Callair A-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/callair-a-2) (registry code 1850104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 131 - Airframe hours: 2100 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-C 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fernando Ramos - Registered owner: Tom Arnold - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1997, 20 hours before - Departed: GNT - Destination: GUP, GALLUP, NM - Airport: GNT, Grants-Milan Municipal, runway 31, 5,300 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 818 total, 22 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 355° at 8 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °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 19970506008449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970506008449A), May 6, 1997: Gulstm CALLAIRA2, Grants, NM, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost lilft after takeoff, stalled and crashed. (.4)during the takeoff initial climb, the pilot 'felt a loss of lift during the climb toward rising… 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.