Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby MURPHY REBEL N79ZT

Summary

On 4 June 2024 at about 14:53 local time, a Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby MURPHY REBEL registered N79ZT was involved in an accident near Edgewood, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 June 2024 at 14:53

Classification

Accident

Location

Edgewood, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Sandia Airpark Estates East (1N1)

Coordinates

35.0946, -106.1646

Aircraft

Dennis T Kirby/Michael B Kirby MURPHY REBEL

Registration

N79ZT

Category

Airplane

Year built

2022

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR24LA175

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s improper installation of the aileron and flap control systems, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the takeoff roll and subsequent runway excursion.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had a “controllability issue” during takeoff and lost directional control. According to an FAA inspector, the airplane then veered right, exited the runway, and impacted a berm. Subsequently, the airplane had a post-crash fire and was destroyed. The pilot informed the FAA inspector that he improperly reconnected the ailerons and flaps prior to the accident flight. The pilot further reported that during the takeoff roll, the flight controls “felt funny” and realized that he had mis-rigged the aileron and flap controls. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1 as requested.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.