Flight CTSW N424CT
10 July 2013 · Taos, New Mexico, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 10 July 2013 at about 17:07 local time, a Flight CTSW registered N424CT was involved in an accident near Taos, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 17:07
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Taos, New Mexico, United States
- Nearest airport
- Taos Regional Airport (SKX)
- Coordinates
- 36.4581, -105.6578
- Aircraft
- Flight CTSW
- Registration
- N424CT
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2005
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Taos → Taos
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN13LA409
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The airplane's unexpected encounter with a dust devil, which resulted in the loss of airplane control.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot reported that, while in the airport traffic pattern, the airplane encountered very light turbulence. During short final approach and when the airplane was about 80 ft above ground level, the airplane suddenly encountered extreme turbulence, which the pilot described as far more violent than he had ever experienced. The airplane dropped vertically about 10 ft, suddenly entered a nose-up attitude, rolled right, and then struck the ground in a mostly nose-down attitude. Meteorological information indicated that, about the time of the accident, the atmosphere near the airport was unstable with variable light wind, warm dry air, and strong solar heating conditions, all of which are conducive to thermal activity and dust devil development. Further, several witnesses reported seeing dust devils and swirling wind in the area about the time of the accident. The pilot's report of extreme turbulence and his sudden loss of airplane control are consistent with the airplane's unexpected encounter with a dust devil.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Flight CTSW accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Sep 2013 | Flight CTSW | Sisters, Oregon, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Apr 2014 | Flight CTSW | Bloomington, Indiana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Jun 2014 | Flight CTSW | Milton, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 Mar 2012 | Flight CTSW | Venice, Florida, United States | Manatee Aviation Enterprises Inc | No injuries | - |
| 30 Jul 2012 | Flight CTSW | Hutchinson, Kansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 May 2014 | Flight CTSW | New Carlisle, Ohio, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Sep 2013 | Bell 206L-3 | Amistad, New Mexico, United States | State of Illinois | Minor injuries | - |
| 11 Feb 2013 | Bell 206B III | Ponderosa, New Mexico, United States | Aerowest Helicopter Svc | No injuries | - |
| 20 Apr 2013 | Cessna 175A | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jun 2013 | Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B | Corona, New Mexico, United States | Paynter G Frank | Minor injuries | - |
| 7 Sep 2013 | Cessna 180 | Gallup, New Mexico, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Apr 2013 | Cessna 195B | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Ronald S. Harmon | Minor injuries | - |