# NTSB DEN89LA173: Beech A36, N26208, Cimarron, NM, July 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1989, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Cimarron, NM
- Coordinates: 36.499526, -104.909172 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4995&lon=-104.9092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17750
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17750/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA173

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY PLAN HIS FLIGHT. HE FAILED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CHANGABLE WINDS AND THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE THAT EXISTED AT THE AIRSTRIP WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF. A PROPER CLIMB RATE WAS NOT POSSIBLE AND THEAIRCRAFT STALLED/MUSHED INTO THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT AND WITNESSES, THE WINDS WERE LIGHT AND VARIABLE AND CHANGED DIRECTION DURING TAKEOFF. DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF WAS APRX 8,000 FT. DURING THE TAKEOFF THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB OUT OF GROUND EFFECT. THE ACFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND SETTLED INTO A ROCKY AREA OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N26208 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-2312
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lubben, John F. III
- Departed: E85, CIMARRON, NM
- Destination: SAE, SANTA FE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 23, 4,000 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 953 total, 246 in this make and model, 726 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890719023729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890719023729A), Jul 19, 1989: Beech A36, Cimarron, NM, Substantial damage. Settled and drifted off center of dirt runway. Gear struck a rock causing a crash. High density altitude a factor.

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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