Casualties unknown

Aircraft Destroyed in Runway Excursion After High-Density-Altitude Landing (N9304Y)

Los Alamos, NM, US

On June 23, 2000, a Beech M35 (registration N9304Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Los Alamos, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misjudgment of distance/speed resulting in an overrun and subsequent collision with a blast fence. Contributing factors were high density altitude, a tailwind, and the blast fence. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During a flight review, a private pilot and flight instructor performed a full-stop landing with a tailwind at a high-altitude airport, resulting in a long landing, runway excursion, and collision with a blast fence. The aircraft was destroyed, but both occupants were uninjured.

Incident Overview

A private pilot and a flight instructor check pilot were completing a flight review at an airport where the aircraft was based. The airport elevation was 7,171 feet above mean sea level (msl), with a temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The computed density altitude was 9,300 feet, and the wind included a 4-knot tailwind component.

Landing and Runway Excursion

During the full-stop landing, the pilot described the landing as "long and fast." The ground speed was calculated to be 31 knots above the indicated airspeed due to the tailwind. The aircraft subsequently departed the end of the runway during the landing roll and struck a blast fence.

Damage and Occupant Status

The collision destroyed the aircraft. However, the private pilot and the flight instructor check pilot were not injured.

Environmental Factors

No information was provided regarding the time of day, visibility, or other weather conditions beyond the temperature, wind, and density altitude. The airport's high elevation and the tailwind contributed to the increased ground speed and landing distance.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X21215. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.