N72260

Substantial
Minor

Mahoney Evans VP-1S/N: TM003

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, May 18, 2006
NTSB Number
DFW06CA129
Location
Corpus Christi, TX
Event ID
20060627X00830
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. A contributing factor was the dust devil/whirlwind.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N72260
Make
MAHONEY
Serial Number
TM003
Year Built
1997
Model / ICAO
Evans VP-1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SHEPPERD RICHARD E
Address
5422 CROSSGATE SOUTH DR
Status
Deregistered
City
CORPUS CHRISTI
State / Zip Code
TX 78413
Country
United States

Analysis

The 206-hour private pilot reported that he had just taken off from runway 17 at a private airstrip when "at approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL), a gust of wind from the left blew the airplane knife edge." The pilot stated that he "attempted to correct with hard left rudder and left stick." However, at the time he applied the corrections the gust of wind had subsided and he began to enter a "slow left spiral." The pilot added that he made several attempts to stop the spin; however, he was unsuccessful and the aircraft impacted the ground in a left wing low, nose down attitude. The pilot reported that there were "dust devils" in the area prior to takeoff and that he thought he had encountered one and overcorrected. According to the pilot, the engine and flight controls were functioning correctly, at the time of the accident. The automated weather observation facility at located approximately 7 nautical miles north of the accident site reported winds from 200 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 17 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# DFW06CA129