Aviat A-1C-200 N80MF

Summary

On 8 December 2013 at about 15:10 local time, a Aviat A-1C-200 registered N80MF, operated by Blackhawk Leasing LLC, was involved in an accident near Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 December 2013 at 15:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Los Alamos Airport (KLAM)

Coordinates

35.8775, -106.2692

Aircraft

Aviat A-1C-200

Registration

N80MF

Category

Airplane

Year built

2012

Engines

1

Operator

Blackhawk Leasing LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Los Alamos → Chandler

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN14FA077

2 people died.

The pilot’s loss of airplane control while maneuvering after takeoff in gusty wind conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger were on a cross-country flight and stopped at an en route airport. After waiting for weather to improve, they took off to the west. A witness reported seeing the airplane depart the runway and then enter a steep left turn, before descending and impacting terrain. The airport directory noted that all landings are to the west, and all takeoffs to the east. A commuter pilot reported that the accident pilot asked him if east takeoffs and west landings were mandatory. The commuter pilot responded that he believed it was but that the commuter crew had permission from the airport manager to depart to the west, if needed. The commuter pilot added that if they departed to the west, they would make a turn before the terminal building. The automated weather reporting station, located on the field recorded about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind from 270 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 23 knots. An examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact abnormality with the engine or airframe.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.