North American T 28A accident near Las Cruces, New Mexico, August 14, 2015
On August 14, 2015 at about 4:50 pm local time, a 1951 North American T 28A, registered N14124, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Las Cruces, New Mexico (Las Cruces Intl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Failure of the No. 6 cylinder connecting rod, due to improper rotation of the propeller during a previous hydraulic lock.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 14, 2015 · about 4:50 pm local time
- Place
- Las Cruces, New Mexico · Las Cruces Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American T 28A, built 1951 · all T 28As on the register
- Registration
- N14124 · no longer on the register · serial 51-3693
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
About 5 minutes after takeoff, the engine lost power and the pilot turned back toward the departure airport to make a forced landing. The airplane touched down about ½ mile short of the runway on uneven terrain, seriously injuring the pilot. The pilot was transported to a hospital via helicopter, but died four days later. Examination of the engine revealed failure of the No. 6 cylinder connecting rod. The connecting rod was most likely initially damaged during ground operations when the propeller was improperly rotated when a cylinder was hydraulically locked. The investigation was not able to determine when the initial damage occurred.
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
- Preflight or dispatch event during standing (engine(s) not oper)
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Hard landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Failure
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Other/unknown
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,185 hours in all; 322 in this make and model
- Last flight review: January 31, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,772 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 8,501 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Wright 1820F56 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LRU Las Cruces NM at 4:40 pm
- Destination: KELP El Paso TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from KLRU, 1 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
6 documents, released by the NTSB on June 28, 2016. 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 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Avweb Article Discussing Hydraulic Lock | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Hospital Pharmacy Correspondence | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Wreckage Release | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photos of Airplane at Accident Site | 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.
Other NTSB records under N14124 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.