North American T 28A accident near Las Cruces, NM
On August 14, 2015, a North American T 28A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Las Cruces, NM. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 14, 2015
- Place
- Las Cruces, NM
- Aircraft
- North American T 28A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 32.278°N, 106.906°W
- NTSB ID
- 20150817X61459
Official records · CEN15LA360
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 14, 2015, about 1050 mountain daylight time, a North American T-28A airplane, N14124, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Las Cruces International Airport (LRU), Las Cruces, New Mexico. The pilot was fatally injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, with no flight plan filed. The flight departed from LRU about 1040 and was destined for El Paso International Airport (ELP), El Paso, Texas. After refueling at LRU, the pilot had difficulty starting the radial engine and requested a ground power unit (GPU) from line personnel. The engine started on two occasions with the GPU connected, but stopped after the GPU was disconnected. On the third start with the GPU, the engine continued to run and the pilot taxied out and departed from runway 8. The passenger stated that about 5 minutes after departure, the engine lost power and the pilot initiated a turn back to LRU. The pilot subsequently executed a forced landing into uneven terrain, touching down about one-half mile prior to the threshold of runway 30, which damaged both wings and the fuselage. The pilot was airlifted to a regional hospital, but died on August 18, 2015. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe pilot, age 64, held an airline transport pilot certificate with airplane single engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument ratings. He reported 6,185 total flight hour
Probable cause
Failure of the No. 6 cylinder connecting rod, due to improper rotation of the propeller during a previous hydraulic lock.
More accidents in NM
- Gates Learjet 25D, Sep 5, 1993
- Piper PA-32-300, Dec 26, 1982
- Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, Jun 25, 1992
- Cessna 421C, Feb 11, 1985
- Beech 58, Mar 26, 1982
Browse: New Mexico · North American 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.
