4 Aug 2008: Collard Dragonfly — Colorado Aerosports LLC

4 Aug 2008: Collard Dragonfly — Colorado Aerosports LLC

No fatalities • Big Sping, TX, United States

Probable cause

Loss of aircraft control due to inadvertent penetration of a dust devil.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The private pilot reported departing the airport in "challenging wind and [thermal] conditions." An automated weather reporting facility on the airport reported winds 50 degrees from runway heading at 11 knots gusting to 19 knots. After six successful touch-and-gos, the pilot entered the traffic pattern for a seventh approach. While turning base to final the pilot experienced a loss of aircraft control and impacted terrain. The pilot reported that dust devils were "prevalent in the area at that time."

Contributing factors

  • cause Dust devil/whirlwind

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 120/11kt, vis 10sm

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