Beech A45 accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, November 15, 1985
On November 15, 1985 at about 10:03 pm local time, a Beech A45, registered N422NM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico (Alameda airport). It was an instructional 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 15, 1985 · about 10:03 pm local time
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico · Alameda
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A45 · all A45s on the register
- Registration
- N422NM · registry record · serial 6-833
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE MANEUVERING TO ENTER TRAFFIC AT ALAMEDA ARPT, THE PLT EXPERIENCED SEVERE ACFT VIBRATIONS. HE ATTEMPTED BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO REACH THE ARPT DUE TO RAPID LOSS OF AIRSPEED ANDALTITUDE. THE ACFT CRASHED 1/2 MILE FROM THE LANDING RWY. THE ONE PAX AND A WITNESS INDICATED THAT THE ACFT STALLED 20-30 FT AGL. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FRACTURED PROPELLERPITCH ACTUATING PIN WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A RECENT IMPROPER OVERHAUL. THE HOLE IN WHICH THE PIN WAS INSTALLED WAS IMPROPERLY DRILLED, ALLOWING THE PIN TO BOTTOM OUT BEFORE TORQUE COULD BE APPLIED TO THE SHAFT. EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURED SURFACES BY METALLURGIAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS REVEALED A PROGRESSIVE TYPE OF FAILURE.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 9,547 hours in all; 39 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days; 24 in the last 30 days; 8,254 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,986 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 21, 1985; 63 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental I0-520 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Civil Air Patrol
The flight
- Departed from: ABQ Kirkland Afb NM at 9:57 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:49 pm from ABQ, 9 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.