Probable cause
Loss of directional control due to an encounter with a weather phenomena at rotation.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he was attempting to depart from an unimproved private airstrip. As the airplane rotated for lift-off at 35 to 40 miles per hour, it was "hit by a dust devil." The airplane rotated ninety degrees to the right and the application of full opposite control inputs failed to re-establish directional control. The airplane impacted terrain, causing the left landing gear to collapse, followed by the collapse of the right landing gear and resulting in multiple propeller ground strikes. The airplane sustained a bent right wing spar. The pilot reported the weather conditions at the time of the accident as a variable 7- to 10-knot wind, gusting to 12 to 15 knots. An hourly weather observation taken at the time of the accident 39 miles west of the accident site showed the wind to be 170 at four knots.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA079 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 2, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Private Airstrip (N/A)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA18-150
- N-number
- N18338
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.