# NTSB WPR09CA231: Fuhrmann-Super Emeraude Stretched, N11LF, Peach Springs, AZ, May 8, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 8, 2009, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Peach Springs, AZ - Coordinates: 35.521667, -113.256385 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5217&lon=-113.2564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73796 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73796/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73796 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA231 ## Probable cause The airplane's encounter with turbulence after takeoff, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Turbulence: clear air turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Fuhrmann-Super Emeraude STRETCHED SSE-328, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015/cases.md?model=70218DL), [All aircraft, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015/cases.md) - [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Fuhrmann-Super Emeraude STRETCHED SSE-328, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=70218DL), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Clear air turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/362); cases with it: [Fuhrmann-Super Emeraude STRETCHED SSE-328, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/362/sequence.md?model=70218DL), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/362/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Fuhrmann-Super Emeraude STRETCHED SSE-328, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=70218DL), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Fuhrmann-Super Emeraude STRETCHED SSE-328, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=70218DL), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the initial takeoff and climb from Runway 23 he encountered "severe clear air turbulence" about midway down the runway. He regained control and continued the climb. Towards the end of the runway, at 300 to 400 feet above ground level, the airplane encountered more "clear air turbulence which took the airplane south of the runway and all the way to the ground." Local law enforcement reported seeing dust devils and whirlwinds in the area after the accident. The pilot reported that the winds were from 230 degrees at 15 knots. He stated that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction with the airplane's flight control system or engine prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the initial takeoff and climb from runway 23, he encountered "severe clear air turbulence" about midway down the runway. He regained control and continued the climb. Towards the end of the runway, at 300 to 400 feet above ground level (agl), the airplane encountered more "clear air turbulence which took the airplane south of the runway and all the way to the ground." Local law enforcement reported seeing dust devils and whirlwinds in the area after the accident. The pilot reported that the winds were from 230 degrees at 15 knots. He stated that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction with the airplane's flight control system or engine prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11LF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11LF-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N 001, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FUHRMANN-SUPER EMERAUDE STRETCHED - Registry model: [Fuhrmann-Super Emeraude STRETCHED SSE-328](https://openairdocs.org/model/fuhrmann-super-emeraude-stretched-sse-328) (registry code 70218DL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William R. Little - Registered owner: William R. Little - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: L37, Peach Springs, AZ - Destination: T65, Weslaco, TX - Airport: L37, Peach Tree Springs, runway 23, 5,100 × 45 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 11, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 142 total, 19 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 25 °F - Observed at: IGM, 37 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 20090508012179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090508012179A), May 8, 2009: Fuhrma STRETCHEDSSE, Peach Springs, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated he departed rwy 23 when he encounted a dust devil shortly after takeoff and from which he recovered but lost altitude. Further into the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73796. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 679 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314563&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - On Scene View (item 2, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20On%20Scene%20View-Master.PDF 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.