# NTSB DEN84LA245: Consolidated-Vultee BT-13B, N63697, Hobbs, NM, July 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1984, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Hobbs, NM
- Coordinates: 32.730831, -103.160697 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7308&lon=-103.1607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16450
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16450/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA245

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine instruments,oil temperature gage - overtemperature (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)

## Analysis

AS PART OF A GROUP OF A CONFEDERATE AIR FORCE ACFT THE FLIGHT CONDUCTED PUBLIC RELATIONS FLYOVERS AT SEVERAL AREA ARPTS. DUE TO A LOW LDG GEAR STRUT N63697 DID NOT LAND WITH THE OTHER ACFT AFTER THE FLYOVERS. THE PLT PLANNED TO HAVE THE STRUT REPAIRED UPON ARRIVAL AT HOBBS, NM. WHILE CIRCLING OVHD 2 INTERMEDIATE ARPTS, ENGINE OIL TEMP EXCEEDED THE RED LINE. THE PLT ATTRIBUTED THE RISE TO HIGH OAT AND SLOW SPEED. AFTER REFUELING THE ACFT DEPARTED ON THE LAST LEG TO HOBBS. ABOUT 15 MIN LATER HEAVY VIBRATIONS DEVELOPED IN THE ENGINE. POWER WAS REDUCED AND A FORCED LDG IN AN OIL FIELD ACCOMPLISHED. DURING THE LDG ROLL BOTH MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63697](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63697), registered now, S/N 79-1293, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Consolidated-Vultee BT-13B
- Registry model: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13B (SNV-2)](https://openairdocs.org/model/consolidated-vultee-bt-13b-snv-2) (registry code 2420228) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 79-1293
- Airframe hours: 3744
- Engines: P&W R985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jim Tilson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 13, 1983, 49 hours before
- Departed: JAL, NM
- Destination: HOB, HOBBS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,122 total, 377 in this make and model, 4,006 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840728035859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840728035859A), Jul 28, 1984: Cvac BT13B, Hobbs, NM, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine failure. Origin of failure was in one of cylinders.

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.
