Amateur-built VIXEN accident near Columbus, New Mexico, July 17, 2014
On July 17, 2014 at about 2:15 pm local time, a 1995 amateur-built VIXEN, registered N153PR, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Columbus, New Mexico (First Aero Squadron Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examination did not reveal any preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 17, 2014 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- Columbus, New Mexico · First Aero Squadron Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VIXEN, built 1995
- Registration
- N153PR · no longer on the register · serial ECV005
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the engine began to run roughly for a few seconds and then smoothed out. After a few more seconds, the engine began to run roughly again before it completely lost power. The pilot noted that he was unable to troubleshoot the problem due to the low altitude at the time of the power loss. He executed a forced landing to a pasture. The ground was "extremely rough," and the nose landing gear collapsed during the landing. The airplane subsequently nosed over. The fuel tank was intact and contained fuel. A postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
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 (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,675 hours in all; 240 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 1,675 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 16, 2014
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,149 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 10, 2014; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 612 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NM09 Columbus NM at 2:00 pm
- Destination: NM09 Columbus NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway E, 4,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from DNM, 24 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
3 documents, released by the NTSB on October 29, 2014. 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 | Airframe Maintenance Records - Excerpts | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Maintenance Records - Excerpts | PDF, 2 pages | 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.