Amateur-built LEGACY 200 accident near Socorro, New Mexico, November 2, 2008
On November 2, 2008 at about 2:30 pm local time, a amateur-built LEGACY 200, registered N273TE, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Socorro, New Mexico (Socorro Muni 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
Failure of the pilot to land with sufficient runway to stop the airplane on the runway. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's speed on final approach.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 2, 2008 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Socorro, New Mexico · Socorro Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built LEGACY 200
- Registration
- N273TE · no longer on the register · serial L2K164
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While performing a landing to 5,841-foot long runway, the private pilot crossed the runway threshold at 110 knots at 50 feet above ground level. The pilot attempted to perform a "soft landing" which resulted in a longer flare distance. After touchdown, insufficient runway remained to allow the airplane to be stopped on the prepared surface. The airplane departed the end of the runway and was substantially damaged. The pilot was able to egress without assistance. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he would have maintained a slower airspeed on final approach and shortened the flare distance.
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
What happened, in order
- Landing area overshoot during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 498 hours in all; 101 in this make and model; 38 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 113 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 31, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-550-N (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: E80 Belen NM at 4:45 pm
- Destination: ONM Socorro NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 5,841 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from TCS, 50 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Other NTSB records under N273TE the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.