Amateur-built SPARROW SPORT SPEC accident near Moriarty, New Mexico, July 20, 2014
On July 20, 2014, a 2004 amateur-built SPARROW SPORT SPEC, registered N41475, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Moriarty, New Mexico (Moriarty 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 pilot's loss of directional control while landing in gusty crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's operation of the engine above its normal temperature limit on takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 20, 2014
- Place
- Moriarty, New Mexico · Moriarty · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SPARROW SPORT SPEC, built 2004
- Registration
- N41475 · registry record · serial CA2-210
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Following an intermediate fuel stop, the pilot reported that the engine began to overheat during the takeoff climb. The pilot entered a left pattern to land back at the airport. During the landing, the wind was from 60 degrees right of the runway heading at 18 knots gusting to 23 knots. When the airplane landed on the runway, the pilot could not compensate for the crosswind and the right wing lifted up and the airplane began to roll left. While slowing during the landing roll, the left main landing gear broke and the left wingtip contacted the runway. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest. Substantial damage was sustained to the wings and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that the number two cylinder overheated due to its operation at a high temperature of 91 degrees Fahrenheit and density altitude of over 9,400 feet. No other anomalies were detected with the airframe and engine. Another runway was available at the airport which would place the wind 40 degrees left of runway heading that would have reduced the crosswind component.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff
- Other weather encounter during landing (landing roll)
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Powerplant parameters › Capability exceeded
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Ability to respond/compensate
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on equipment
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 276 hours in all; 30 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 15, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 715 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Hks 700E (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0E0 Moriarty NM at 9:45 pm
- Destination: E98 Los Lunas NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 7,700 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 18 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from K0E0
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.