Amateur-built AIRCAM BY LOCKWOOD accident near Taos, New Mexico, July 7, 2012
On July 7, 2012 at about 3:45 pm local time, a amateur-built AIRCAM BY LOCKWOOD, registered N984AT, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Taos, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to fly in gusty wind conditions at low altitude over mountainous terrain contrary to guidance in the airplane flight manual and subsequent loss of airplane control due to wind and turbulence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 7, 2012 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- Taos, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AIRCAM BY LOCKWOOD
- Registration
- N984AT · no longer on the register · serial AC145
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness observed the kit-built airplane maneuvering at low altitude near a canyon. As it flew near the rim of a gorge, it rolled right, descended, and impacted the terrain. Postimpact examinations of the airplane did not reveal evidence of any preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported gusty wind conditions through the canyon, and weather data recorded at a regional airport 3.25 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, indicated wind from 160 degrees at 7 knots, gusting to 14 knots. Prevailing wind conditions through the canyon would likely result in strong updrafts and mechanical turbulence. The airplane model has a light wing loading, which decreases the stability of the wing in increased wind; the airplane flight manual cautions pilots to be aware of the potential for mechanical turbulence and its effect on the intended flightpath.
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
- Turbulence encounter during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › Terrain induced turbulence › Ability to respond/compensate
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › (general) › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Last flight review: September 22, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 153 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 1, 2012; 9 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Rotax 914 (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Rotax 914 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KSKX Taos NM at 3:25 pm
- Destination: KSKX Taos NM
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 7 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.42 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from KSKX, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on September 26, 2013. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Chart of Accident Area | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Chart of Accident Area 2 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Miscellaneous: Tcu Data | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.