# NTSB CEN14LA373: Garramone Mike A Vixen, N153PR, Columbus, NM, July 17, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 2014, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Columbus, NM - Coordinates: 31.86861, -107.615554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8686&lon=-107.6156&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 14, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 89680 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA373 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89680/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89680 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA373 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examination did not reveal any preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Garramone Mike A VIXEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05628ZD), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Garramone Mike A VIXEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=05628ZD), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Garramone Mike A VIXEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05628ZD), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Garramone Mike A VIXEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05628ZD), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Garramone Mike A VIXEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05628ZD), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the engine began to run roughly for a few seconds and then smoothed out. After a few more seconds, the engine began to run roughly again before it completely lost power. The pilot noted that he was unable to troubleshoot the problem due to the low altitude at the time of the power loss. He executed a forced landing to a pasture. The ground was "extremely rough," and the nose landing gear collapsed during the landing. The airplane subsequently nosed over. The fuel tank was intact and contained fuel. A postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 2014, about 0815 mountain daylight time, an amateur-built, experimental Garramone Vixen (Kitfox Series 5) airplane, N153PR, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Columbus, New Mexico. The pilot reported no injuries; the passenger was seriously injured. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the First Aero Squadron Airpark (NM09), Columbus, New Mexico, about 0800.The pilot stated the engine start and runup were normal. However, shortly after takeoff, about one mile from the airport, the engine began to run rough for a few seconds and then smoothed out. After a few more seconds, the engine began to run rough again before it lost power completely. The pilot noted that due to the low altitude at the time of the loss of power, he was unable to troubleshoot the problem. The pilot executed a forced landing to a pasture. The ground was "extremely rough" and the nose landing gear collapsed during the landing rollout. The airplane subsequently nosed over. A postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. Internal engine continuity was confirmed through crankshaft rotation. Compression was detected at all cylinders. The engine appeared intact, with the exception of the right carburetor which was displaced upward; displacement of the right carburetor appeared consistent with the impact sequence. The pilot noted prior issues with cracking of the carburetor mounting flange assembly. However, examination of the flange installed at the time of the accident flight did not reveal any anomalies. The propeller assembly remained attached to the engine; although, the propeller blades were damaged consistent with the nose over event. The fuel tank appeared intact and contained fuel. At the time of the accident, the airframe and engine had accumulated 1,149.3 hours and 612 hours recording tachometer time, respectively. Maintenance records indicated a condition inspection was completed on June 10, 2014, at 1,145.7 hours recording tachometer time. The right carburetor mounting flange was replaced 6 days after the condition inspection, at 1,146.9 hours tachometer time, because it was observed to be cracked. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N153PR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N153PR-2026-07-25), registration cancelled 2026-07-25, S/N ECV005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GARRAMONE MIKE A VIXEN - Registry model: [Garramone Mike A VIXEN](https://openairdocs.org/model/garramone-mike-a-vixen) (registry code 05628ZD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: ECV005 - Year built: 1995 - Airframe hours: 1149 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 10, 2014, 4 hours before - Departed: NM09, Columbus, NM - Destination: NM09, Columbus, NM - Airport: NM09, First Aero Squadron Airpark, runway E, 4,000 × 100 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review March 16, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,675 total, 240 in this make and model, 1,675 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: DNM, 24 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20140717020459I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140717020459I), Jul 17, 2014: Garramone Mike A VIXEN, Columbus, NM, Substantial damage. On July 17, 2014, at approximately 0800 MDT, N153PR, a Kitfox 5, Vixen, departed the airport for a local, sightseeing flight under visual flight rules, near… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89680. 8.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 8.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418317&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Airframe Maintenance Records - Excerpts (item 2, .PDF, 210 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418318&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airframe%20Maintenance%20Records%20-%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF - Engine Maintenance Records - Excerpts (item 3, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418319&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Maintenance%20Records%20-%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.