Summary
On January 02, 2006, a Culver Cadet LCA (N37814) was involved in an accident near Alamogordo, NM. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 1 person uninjured out of 2 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the departure climb. Contributing factors included the gusty winds and the downdraft.
The pilot reported that after takeoff from runway 31, the airplane climbed to approximately 75 feet above ground level and encountered a downdraft. The airplane impacted the runway, separating the main landing gear. The right wing spar was bent and crushed aft, and the fuselage bulkhead at the left wing attach point was crushed. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. Prior to departure, the pilot estimated the wind as 280 degrees at 15 knots. After the accident, a hand held wind meter recorded the winds at 8 knots, gusting to 18 knots.
This accident is documented in NTSB report DEN06CA031. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N37814.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the departure climb. Contributing factors included the gusty winds and the downdraft.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that after takeoff from runway 31, the airplane climbed to approximately 75 feet above ground level and encountered a downdraft. The airplane impacted the runway, separating the main landing gear. The right wing spar was bent and crushed aft, and the fuselage bulkhead at the left wing attach point was crushed. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. Prior to departure, the pilot estimated the wind as 280 degrees at 15 knots. After the accident, a hand held wind meter recorded the winds at 8 knots, gusting to 18 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN06CA031