Pilot Debrief

ROSS H/HERRIOTT M VANS AIRCRAFT RV 3 near Las Cruces, NM — 2014-11-24

Final reportCEN15LA059
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Date
2014-11-24
Location
Las Cruces, NM, USA
Airport
LRU
Aircraft
ROSS H/HERRIOTT M VANS AIRCRAFT RV 3
Registration
N625ZH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain adequate familiarization in the accident airplane type before the accident.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain adequate familiarization in the accident airplane type before the accident.

NTSB narrative

Several witnesses reported that they observed the airplane make a steep climb shortly after takeoff and that the airplane then made two 90-degree left bank turns to enter the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. During the turns, the airplane's wings were rocking back and forth, the airplane was in a nose-high attitude and not climbing, and the flight control surfaces were moving. The airplane then began another left turn, the left wing dropped, and the airplane spun toward the ground. One witness reported that the engine sounded normal throughout the flight. A friend of the pilot stated that the pilot had purchased the airplane 2 days before the accident and had no previous flight experience in the airplane make and model. He estimated that the pilot had only flown the airplane about 4.0 hours before the accident. Based on witness accounts, there were no preaccident anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Therefore, it is likely that the pilot lost control of the airplane while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a stall/spin. It is also likely that the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane type contributed to his failure to maintain airplane control during the turns. Although postaccident toxicology tests detected a low level of marijuana in the pilot's blood, liver, and lung, it is unlikely that it impaired his performance on the day of the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the takeoff after initial climb issues were observed.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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