Luscombe 8E accident near Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico, February 23, 2024
On February 23, 2024 at about 3:45 pm local time, a 1947 Luscombe 8E, registered N2669K, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico (Truth Or Consequences Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during approach and landing that resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent impact with a berm.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 23, 2024 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico · Truth Or Consequences Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Luscombe 8E, built 1947 · all 8Es on the register
- Registration
- N2669K · registry record · serial 5396
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was on a personal flight to the accident airport. Upon arrival at the airport, the reported wind from ASOS (Automated Surface Observing Systems) was 330 degrees at 5 knots. He entered a left downwind for runway 31 and had planned to do a wheel touch-and-go landing. The pilot stated that he was slower than intended and over the runway threshold he added power to maintain a wheel landing attitude. He failed to add enough power to fully arrest the descent and had to increase back pressure pitch input to stabilize the descent. The pilot stated that after touchdown the airplane had a slight nose left attitude and began to turn to the left. He corrected with right rudder and added more power to keep a nose-level attitude but was not able to fully correct the left turn. The pilot then applied full power to go around, but the airplane was already too slow to take off and the airplane departed the runway. He reduced all power and attempted to brake but the airplane struck a berm and nosed over coming to rest inverted about 30 ft from the runway edge. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and tail. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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 control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 133 hours in all; 13 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 87 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 1, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,654 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 11, 2023; 10.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-200-A (piston); 1,280 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BRG Belen NM at 2:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13/3, 7,202 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.27 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 am from KTCS, 20 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KTCS 231553Z AUTO 36007KT 10SM CLR 08/M08 A3027 RMK AO2 SLP214 T00831078
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on October 22, 2024. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 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 N2669K 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.