Casualties unknown

2003-08-06: Cessna 337F (N8921M) — Las Cruces, NM

Las Cruces, NM, US

On August 6, 2003, a Cessna 337F (registration N8921M) was involved in an aviation accident near Las Cruces, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Lack of adequate power from the rear engine for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during take-off. A contributing factor to the accident was the low altitude. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During a touch-and-go landing, the pilot retracted flaps and added full power. The nose pitched up suddenly, the airplane veered left, and it impacted the ground, sustaining substantial damage. Engine examination found no anomalies.

Accident Summary

The pilot was performing a touch-and-go landing. After touchdown, the pilot retracted the flaps and added full power to both engines, observing 75 mph on the airspeed indicator. He then lifted the nose wheel, and the airplane's nose pitched up suddenly, causing the aircraft to become airborne. The pilot attempted to maintain runway alignment, but the airplane veered left and impacted the ground. It came to rest between runway 04-22 and taxiway delta, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, right vertical stabilizer, and undercarriage.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that the airplane "failed to stay airborne [due to] insufficient power" from the rear engine.

Engine Examination

The engines were examined at the manufacturer. Both engines experienced normal starts on the first attempts and were run through throttle settings of 1,200, 1,600, 2,450, and 2,800 RPM (full throttle). The engines were then cycled from idle power (650 RPM) to full power six times in succession. In each cycle, the engine "performed normally without any hesitation, stumbling, or interruption in power." No other anomalies were found in any of the other airplane systems.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030812X01316. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.