Culver Cadet LCA accident near Alamogordo, New Mexico, January 2, 2006
On January 2, 2006 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Culver Cadet LCA, registered N37814, was substantially damaged in an accident near Alamogordo, New Mexico (Timberon Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the departure climb. Contributing factors included the gusty winds and the downdraft.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 2, 2006 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Alamogordo, New Mexico · Timberon Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Culver Cadet LCA
- Registration
- N37814 · registry record · serial 323
- 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 after takeoff from runway 31, the airplane climbed to approximately 75 feet above ground level and encountered a downdraft. The airplane impacted the runway causing substantial damage. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. Prior to departure, the pilot estimated the wind as 280 degrees at 15 knots. After the accident, a hand held wind meter recorded the winds at 8 knots, gusting to 18 knots.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 11,000 hours in all; 67 in this make and model; 138 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days; 9,000 as pilot in command; 1,800 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 895 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 1, 2005
- Maximum gross weight: 1,305 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Franklin 4AC-199-E3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 52NM Timberon Airf. NM at 5:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 10:11 pm from ALM, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.