Amateur-built TF-51D accident near Sandy Valley, Nevada, October 5, 2008
On October 5, 2008 at about 4:53 pm local time, a amateur-built TF-51D, registered N267B, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Sandy Valley, Nevada (Sky Ranch Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to land, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention while attempting to extend the landing gear.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 5, 2008 · about 4:53 pm local time
- Place
- Sandy Valley, Nevada · Sky Ranch Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built TF-51D
- Registration
- N267B · no longer on the register · serial 018
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to multiple witnesses, the pilot was unable to extend the left main landing gear after departure and conducted a series of low approaches over the runway while talking via radio to people located on the ground. After conducting six passes over the runway, the pilot was able to extend the left main landing gear about two-thirds of the way down. The pilot continued to circle the airport within the traffic pattern as the witnesses located on the ground advised him to "slip the airplane to the left then right." Witnesses reported that while the airplane was on downwind for the runway at an altitude of about 400-500 feet above ground level, the airplane "appeared to enter a slip" followed by an immediate roll to the right into a nose-low attitude, and then descended into terrain. Examination of the airframe and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the left main landing gear not extending was undetermined.
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 maneuvering
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Attention › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,400 hours in all
- Last flight review: July 29, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 25 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, August 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Chevy 350 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3L2 Sandy Valley NV at 4:30 pm
- Destination: 3L2 Sandy Valley NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from LAS, 28 miles away
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.