# NTSB LAX99LA223: Devor MXL II, N98MD, Tonopah, AZ, June 19, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 1999, 19:00 local (Jun 19, 1999, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Tonopah, AZ - Coordinates: 33.429779, -113.050155 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4298&lon=-113.0502&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46726 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA223 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46726/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA223 ## Probable cause The failure of the uncertificated pilot to maintain control of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, unqualified person (cause) ## Analysis Another pilot witnessed the accident. He reported that the pilot took off to the south. The aircraft began a gradual climb to approximately 50 feet agl and turned east. The witness stated that the aircraft began losing altitude about halfway through the turn. The witness stated that it did not sound as if the throttle was set at full power and opined that the pilot did not apply sufficient power to complete the turn. The aircraft impacted the ground in a nose down attitude while traveling approximately 30 miles per hour, according to the witness' estimation. The witness stated that at no time did he hear the engine cut out or stop and there did not appear to be a malfunction with the flight controls. He further reported that the pilot had flown solo approximately four times prior to the accident. At the time of writing this report, the pilot was hospitalized and in a coma. No one else was able to provide information or further details. According to the Federal Aviation Administration airman certification record files, the pilot has never held an FAA pilot's certificate. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 1999, at 1900 hours mountain standard time, a homebuilt Devor MXL II, N98MD impacted terrain while maneuvering in an open field in Tonopah, Arizona, approximately 10 miles west of Buckeye, Arizona. The experimental airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The uncertificated pilot was seriously injured. The local area personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and originated on the pilot's property in Tonopah at an unspecified time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. Another pilot witnessed the accident. He reported that the pilot took off to the south. The aircraft began a gradual climb to approximately 50 feet agl and turned east. The witness stated that the aircraft began losing altitude about halfway through the turn. The witness stated that it did not sound as if the throttle was set at full power and opined that the pilot did not apply sufficient power to complete the turn. The aircraft impacted the ground in a nose down attitude while traveling approximately 30 miles per hour, according to the witness' estimation. The witness stated that at no time did he hear the engine cut out or stop and there did not appear to be a malfunction with the flight controls. He further reported that the pilot had flown solo approximately four times prior to the accident. At the time of writing this report, the pilot was hospitalized and in a coma. No one else was able to provide information or further details. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman certification record files, the pilot has never held an FAA pilot's certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98MD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98MD-1999-12-08), registration cancelled 1999-12-08, S/N 1958MD (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Devor MXL II - Registry model: [Devor Michael MXL II](https://openairdocs.org/model/devor-michael-mxl-ii) (registry code 05604L0) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1958MD - Engines: Rotax reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frank Dean - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; seat: center ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19990618024099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990618024099A), Jun 18, 1999: Amtr MXLII, Tonopah, AZ, Substantial damage. (.19) On June 18, 1999, at 1900 hours mountain standard time, a homebuilt devor mxl ii, N98MD (.19 indicated N4824D which is incorrect) impacted terrain while… 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.