Howard Aircraft Corp. DGA-15P accident near Covington, Kentucky, May 25, 1999
On May 25, 1999 at about 5:27 pm local time, a Howard Aircraft Corp. DGA-15P, registered N79M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Covington, Kentucky (Cincinnati/No. Kentucky airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff/initial climb. A factor in the accident was the crosswind condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 25, 1999 · about 5:27 pm local time
- Place
- Covington, Kentucky · Cincinnati/No. Kentucky · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Howard Aircraft Corp. DGA-15P
- Registration
- N79M · no longer on the register · serial 531
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot received progressive taxi instructions to runway 18R, and was told to hold short, for landing and departing traffic. The airplane was then cleared for departure on runway 18R; however, the pilot made a right turn and departed runway 36L. During takeoff, the airplane 'weather vaned' into the wind and the pilot was unable correct for the crosswind by using rudder control. The pilot stated the airplane would not pick up speed for flight. The airplane then drifted off the left side of the runway, and 'dropped' to the ground. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine. A weather observation taken at the airport, at 1354, reported the winds were from 260 degrees, at 13 knots, with 24 knot gusts.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 542 hours in all; 106 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 395 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,036 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 16, 1999; 95 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,890 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-985 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CVG at 5:27 pm
- Destination: K20 Hazard KY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 36L, 11,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 13 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:54 pm from CVG
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.