EDGEWOOD, NM, USA
N9071L
Champion 7GCBC
The airplane's lift-off appeared to be normal. As it attained an altitude of 5 to 10 feet above the runway, the right wing dropped and the airplane started a right turn. The pilot tried to correct the turn; however, the aircraft settled and impacted the soft ground off the right side of the runway. Subsequently, the aircraft ground looped. In the pilot's opinion, he had encountered a whirlwind.
On September 7, 1996, at 1215 mountain daylight time, a Champion 7GCBC, N9071L, owned and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged during takeoff at Sandia Airpark Estates East Airport near Edgewood, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, the lift off from runway 27 appeared to be normal. As the airplane attained an altitude of 5 to 10 feet above the runway, the "right wing dropped and [the airplane] started a right turn." He tried to correct the turn; however, the aircraft settled and "impacted the soft ground off the right side of the runway," and the "aircraft started to ground loop." In the pilot's "opinion," he had encountered a "whirl wind." Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the left wing spar was bent at mid-span, the left main landing gear was separated from the fuselage, and the fuselage was structurally damaged. Attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, were unsuccessful.
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was a whirlwind.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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