# NTSB LAX92LA177: Beech E18S, N711DN, Eloy, AZ, April 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1992, 17:40 local (Apr 16, 1992, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Eloy, AZ
- Location: 32.8067° N, 111.5866° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ELOY MUNI (E60), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8067&lon=-111.5866&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 16 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27599
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27599/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA177

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNFORECASTED DUST DEVIL WEATHER PHENOMENA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BEECH E18S GROUND LOOPED DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN. THE PILOT STATED THAT BEFORE LIFT OFF THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A 'DUST DEVIL.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N711DN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N711DN-2011-08-04), registration cancelled 2011-08-04, S/N BA-43, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E18S
- Registry model: [Beech E18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e18s) (registry code 1151006) (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: BA43
- Airframe hours: 15449
- Engines: P&W PT6-27 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hill, Lawrence E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 8, 1992, 20 hours before
- Airport: E60, Eloy Municipal, runway 2, 3,900 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGZ, 13 nm away

## 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 19920415010089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920415010089A), Apr 15, 1992: Beech E18S, Eloy, AZ, Substantial damage. Encountered dust devil on takeoff. Left wing lifted. Veered into wind and ground looped. Damaged wing and gear.

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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