Beech A36 accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, April 26, 2012
On April 26, 2012 at about 2:05 pm local time, a Beech A36, registered N4830M, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Albuquerque, New Mexico (Double Eagle II 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
The partial loss of engine power due to an intake valve that was stuck in the open position.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 26, 2012 · about 2:05 pm local time
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico · Double Eagle II · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N4830M · no longer on the register · serial E-1268
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On initial climb, the airplane’s engine lost partial power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and airspeed and performed an off-field landing. An examination of the engine revealed that the intake valve on the No. 1 cylinder was stuck in the open position. No other anomalies with the airframe or engine were noted.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,319 hours in all; 2,219 in this make and model; 2,319 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 16, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,312 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 22, 2011; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-520-BA-14 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Gordon Enterprises INC
The flight
- Departed from: KAEG Alburquerque NM at 2:00 pm
- Destination: KAEG Alburquerque NM
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 1:50 pm from KAEG, 3 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.
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.