Lockheed 18-56 accident near Midland, Texas, October 3, 2004
On October 3, 2004 at about 9:20 pm local time, a Lockheed 18-56, registered N6371C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Midland, Texas (Midland International Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 5 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Contributing factors were the choice of runway used and the prevailing tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 3, 2004 · about 9:20 pm local time
- Place
- Midland, Texas · Midland International Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 5 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Lockheed 18-56 · all 18-56s on the register
- Registration
- N6371C · no longer on the register · serial 18-2598
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 18,000- hour pilot was cleared for takeoff in the vintage twin-engine tail wheel equipped airplane on a 9,501- foot by 50- foot runway. The pilot was aware that there was a tailwind from approximatly 160 degrees at 10 knots. Shortly after starting the takeoff roll, the airplane swerved to the right. The pilot was able to correct back to the centerline utilizing rudder control. The airplane then swerved to the left, and full right rudder was applied but the swerve could not be corrected. By the time the airplane reached the left edge of the runway, the airplane had not reached its calculated V2 speed of 110 knots. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, went airborne and shortly thereafter, the right wing dropped and contacted the ground. The airplane then spun 180 degrees, impacted the ground, slid backward, and came to rest upright. A post-crash fire consumed the aft fuselage and left wing.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 18,000 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 120 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days; 15,000 as pilot in command; 2,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 4, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine
- Flight time: 2,600 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 24,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,999 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, October 15, 2003; 4.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 22,500 lb
- Seats: 13
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Wright R-1820 72A (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Wright 1820 72A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Commemorative Air Force
The flight
- Departed from: MAF Midland TX at 9:20 pm
- Destination: 1V5 Boulder CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 34L, 9,501 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,400 ft; a few clouds at 1,900 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 9:44 pm from MAF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.