Glendale, AZ, USA
N21721
Air Creation Clipper 912
The airplane had just touched down when a dust devil approached from the west and lifted the airplane onto its side. The pilot reported that the sky was clear with some restriction to visibility due to blowing dust. Winds were variable at 20 knots, gusting to 35 knots. There were no mechanical failures or malfunctions reported by the pilot.
On August 2, 2008, about 1130 mountain standard time, an Air Creation Clipper 912 Microlight Trike, N21721, flipped over on its side during landing at Glendale Municipal Airport, Glendale, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot and the passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing structure. The local personal flight departed Glendale about 1000 PDT. Visual instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that the airplane was on final approach over the runway when it touched down. At that time, a whirlwind or dust devil approached from the west. It lifted the airplane onto its side. The pilot reported that the sky was clear with some restriction to visibility due to blowing dust. Winds were variable at 20 knots, gusting to 35 knots. The pilot reported that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The FAA notified the National Transporation Safety Board of this accident on September 10, 2008.
The airplane's encounter with a dust devil.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
