# NTSB DEN00LA003: Piper PA-12, N2493M, Las Cruces, NM, October 2, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 2, 1999, 07:50 local (13:50 UTC) - Place: Las Cruces, NM - Coordinates: 32.309787, -107.059387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3098&lon=-107.0594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47514 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47514/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA003 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve during landing. A factor was his attention being diverted by a malfunctioning throttle control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - throttle/power control - not available - throttle/power lever,linkage - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot said that while on final approach to runway 26, engine power remained too high even though the throttle had been completely retarded. On the second approach, engine power was still too high even with the throttle closed. He initiated a second go around and when the airplane was 50 feet above the ground, the mixture control was slowly moved towards idle cutoff 'to decrease power.' The airplane touched down at high speed. Directional control was lost when the pilot became distracted, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The left wing buckled when it struck the runway, and the side loads tore off the left main landing gear and damaged the right main landing gear. It was later discovered that the clamp securing the throttle sleeve to the throttle housing had come loose, allowing the sleeve (not the cable) to move when the throttle control was operated. ## Factual narrative On October 2, 1999, approximately 0750 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N2493M, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it veered off the side of the runway while landing at Las Cruces International Airport, Las Cruces, New Mexico. The private pilot and his private pilot certificated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at El Paso, Texas, approximately 0730. The pilot said that while on final approach to runway 26, he noticed that engine power remained too high even though the throttle had been retarded completely. He made a go around. On the second approach to the same runway, he noticed engine power was still too high with the throttle closed. He initiated a second go around and when the airplane was 50 feet above the ground, he slowly moved the mixture control towards idle cutoff "to decrease power." The airplane touched down at high speed and, according to the pilot, directional control was lost when he became distracted, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The left wing buckled when it struck the runway, and the side loads tore off the left main landing gear and damaged the right main landing gear. The pilot later reported the clamp that secures the throttle sleeve to the throttle housing had come loose, allowing the sleeve (not the cable) to move when the throttle control was operated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2493M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2493M), registered now, S/N 12-1561 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-12 - Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-1561 - Airframe hours: 1596 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robt D Bradford/Tommy G Gruver - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1999, 13 hours before - Departed: ELP, EL PASO, TX - Destination: LRU - Airport: LRU, Las Cruces International, runway 26, 6,073 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 348 total, 348 in this make and model, 348 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ELP, 48 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). - [Accident 19991002038259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991002038259A), Oct 2, 1999: Piper PA12, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. (.4) On October 2, 1999, approximately 0750 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-12, n 2493M, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged… 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.