# NTSB WPR21LA180: Cessna 172, N9127B, Cuba, NM, May 2, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 2, 2021, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Cuba, NM - Coordinates: 36.02224, -106.95837 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0222&lon=-106.9584&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 103016 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103016/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103016 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA180 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during takeoff after an encounter with a gusting wind, which resulted in a wing strike. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=2072402), [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. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that before takeoff he noted a strong dust devil at the far end of the airstrip which appeared to dissipate. During the takeoff and while passing through 60 mph, the right wing suddenly lifted, and the pilot had not control. The left wing struck the ground and the airplane pivoted around. The engine separated and the wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9127B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9127B), registered now, S/N 36727, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36727 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 4040.3 - Engines: Continental O-300C 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Murrow William R - Registered owner: Murrow William R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 14, 2020, 15 hours before - Destination: NM99, Lindrith, NM - Airport: NM2, Cuba Landing Strip Airport, runway 24, 4,137 × 40 ft, dirt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, waiver time limited special; last flight review August 24, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,757 total, 2,879 in this make and model, 3,738 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 255° at 8 knots, gusting 4 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: Leidos Flight Service online ## 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 20210502007299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210502007299A), May 2, 2021: Cessna 172, Cuba, NM, Substantial damage. On 02 may 2021, at 1545 MDT, a 1958 Cessna 172, N9127B, [privacy data omitted], was upset by a sudden "dust devil" on its takeoff roll on the dirt runway at… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103016. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12311897&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20180_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot record of memorandum (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12310944&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=RECORD%20OF%20MEMORANDUM%20180-Rel.pdf - Accident photo (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 691 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12312064&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20180-Rel.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.