Aeronca 65-TC accident near Moriarty, NM
On February 3, 1997, an Aeronca 65-TC (airplane) was involved in an accident near Moriarty, NM. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- February 3, 1997
- Place
- Moriarty, NM
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 65-TC · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 35.000°N, 106.040°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07396
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT: On February 3, 1997, at 1630 mountain standard time, an Aeronca 65-TC, N31794, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91, impacted terrain following a loss of control during the takeoff initial climb near Moriarty, New Mexico. The private pilot and the passenger received fatal injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned cross country flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Moriarty Airport at the time of the accident. Local authorities, airport personnel, and acquaintances of the pilot and passenger reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that the pilot and passenger arrived at Columbus, New Mexico, on February 2, 1997, to complete the purchase of N31794. On February 3, 1997, at Columbus, New Mexico, the pilot made two local flights in the airplane for approximately 45 minutes during which he performed some flight maneuvers and several takeoffs and landings. The Columbus Airport winds were from the west at 10 knots with a temperature of 30 degrees Fahrenheit when the flight departed Columbus (elevation 4,024 feet) at 0915 with en route refueling stops planned for Truth or Consequences (elevation 4,850 feet), New Mexico, and Socorro, (elevation 4,850 feet) New Mexico. The airplane was topped with 10.2 gallon of fuel at Truth or Consequences and 4.9 gallons at Socorro. Subsequently, the pilot changed the next refueling stop from Santa Rosa (elevation 4,782 feet) to Moriarty (elevation 6,201 feet). Between 1530 and 1600, th
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maitain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. Factors were gusty winds, turbulence, a high density altitude, and the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of aircraft.
More accidents in NM
- Gates Learjet 25D, Sep 5, 1993
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- Cessna 421C, Feb 11, 1985
- Beech 58, Mar 26, 1982
Browse: New Mexico · Aeronca aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
