# NTSB DEN89DQA02: Cloud MA-5 Charger, N3137G, Vaughn, NM, July 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1989, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Vaughn, NM
- Location: 34.6072° N, 105.2126° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Vaughn, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6072&lon=-105.2126&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17549
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89DQA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17549/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89DQA02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT ENTERING A STALL/MUSH AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE TO PERMIT RECOVERY. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3137G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3137G-1989-11-18), registration cancelled 1989-11-18, S/N 0002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CLOUD MA-5 CHARGER (MA-5 CHARG)
- Registry model: [Cloud John A MA-5 CHARGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/cloud-john-a-ma-5-charger) (registry code 05655HC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0002
- Airframe hours: 109
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-G 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John A. Cloud
- Registered owner: Cloud, John A
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1989, 13 hours before
- Departed: VAUGHN, NM
- Destination: DHT, DALHART, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,000 total, 208 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Observed at: 4CR, 27 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 19890725025219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890725025219A), Jul 25, 1989: Amtr MA5, Vaughn, NM, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Took off from road downwind and high density altitude. Stalled and crashed on turnout. Reported downdraft problem.

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.

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