# NTSB WPR24LA175: Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby Murphy Rebel, N79ZT, Edgewood, NM, June 4, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 4, 2024, 08:53 local (14:53 UTC) - Place: Edgewood, NM - Coordinates: 35.094611, -106.16455 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0946&lon=-106.1646&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - 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 - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 194393 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194393/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194393 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA175 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper installation of the aileron and flap control systems, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the takeoff roll and subsequent runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby MURPHY REBEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05640FH), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Flight control system: aileron control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022710): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby MURPHY REBEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022710/cases.md?model=05640FH), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022710/cases.md) - [Flight control system: tE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby MURPHY REBEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md?model=05640FH), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby MURPHY REBEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=05640FH), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby MURPHY REBEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05640FH), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby MURPHY REBEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05640FH), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby MURPHY REBEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05640FH), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby MURPHY REBEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=05640FH), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had a “controllability issue” during takeoff and lost directional control. According to an FAA inspector, the airplane then veered right, exited the runway, and impacted a berm. Subsequently, the airplane had a post-crash fire and was destroyed. The pilot informed the FAA inspector that he improperly reconnected the ailerons and flaps prior to the accident flight. The pilot further reported that during the takeoff roll, the flight controls “felt funny” and realized that he had mis-rigged the aileron and flap controls. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1 as requested. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N79ZT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79ZT), registered now, S/N MAM-198, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DENNIS T KIRBY/MICHAEL B KIRBY MURPHY REBEL - Registry model: [Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby MURPHY REBEL](https://openairdocs.org/model/dennis-t-kirby-michael-b-kirby-murphy-rebel) (registry code 05640FH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MAM-198 - Year built: 2022 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Airport: 1N1, Sandia Airpark Estates East, runway 09/27, 4,830 × 30 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KABQ, 22 nm away - METAR: METAR KABQ 061452Z 30006KT 10SM FEW250 25/01 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP105 T02500011 51016= ## 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 20240604012669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240604012669A), Jun 4, 2024: Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby MURPHY REBEL, Edgewood, NM, Destroyed. On 06/04/2024, at approximately 1559Z, pilot was flying owned/operated homebuilt/expiremental rebel eb airplane, on a VFR personal flight originating at… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 13, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194393. 616 KB in all. - Memorandum of record - duty officer (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18349406&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20-%20DO-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record - FAA (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18349242&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA-Rel.pdf - Mor-investigator (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18349232&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20-%20Investigator-Rel.pdf - Accident photo (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 430 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18349328&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=68237-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.