Phillips ZENITH 250 N250ZP

Summary

On 10 May 2013 at about 19:35 local time, a Phillips ZENITH 250 registered N250ZP, operated by Levy Michael T, was involved in an accident near Taos, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and 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.

Date

10 May 2013 at 19:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Taos, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Taos Rgnl (SKX)

Coordinates

36.4475, -105.6397

Aircraft

Phillips ZENITH 250

Registration

N250ZP

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Levy Michael T

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Taos → Santa Fe

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN13LA273

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s improper decision to take off in gusting wind conditions and the airplane’s loss of climb performance following an encounter with turbulence and downdrafts.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he waited to depart until after a storm cloud passed the airfield from the northwest. Just before takeoff, the pilot obtained the automated weather observing system information, which reported wind from 120 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 22 knots. According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff from runway 04, the airplane stopped climbing and descended when it encountered "turbulent crosswinds and downdrafts." The pilot turned the airplane, but it still would not climb and continued to encounter downdrafts and turbulence as it approached rising terrain, obstacles, and the storm clouds. The pilot turned the airplane again, but it continued to descend and then impacted a landfill. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Although the reported wind was within the capabilities of the airplane, given the high gusts and recent storm, the pilot should have waited for the wind to subside before taking off.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.