Airplane’s Encounter With A Dust Devil, Which Resulted In A Loss Of Airplane Control At A Low Altitude

Location: Brady, Texas Accident Number: CEN25LA155
Date & Time: April 11, 2025, 17:20 Local Registration: UNREG
Aircraft: Quicksilver MX II Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The pilot reported that while conducting a slow flight maneuver for flight testing purposes in an unregistered airplane, he felt a “heavy push up” on the airplane to about 75 ft above ground level. The right wing then lifted and the pilot lost control of the airplane which entered a left descending spiral. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain and came to rest inverted. A witness reported that he observed dust devil weather activity where the airplane was flying at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The airplane’s encounter with a dust devil, which resulted in a loss of airplane control at a low altitude.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov