# NTSB DEN90DQA01: Michael C. Quigley Velocity, N469Q, Santa Teresa, NM, May 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1990, 12:11 local (18:11 UTC)
- Place: Santa Teresa, NM
- Coordinates: 31.840097, -106.679733 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8401&lon=-106.6797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90DQA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90DQA01

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ON FINAL APPROACH RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DOING HIGH SPEED TAXI IN AN EXPERIMENTAL HOME BUILT AIRCRAFT IN WHICH HE WAS PART OWNER AND BUILDER. HE HAD NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT. WHILE CONDUCTING A TAXI TEST THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO FLY THE PATTERN. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHICH IMPACTED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N469Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N469Q), registered now, S/N HQA89V61-1, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MICHAEL C. QUIGLEY VELOCITY
- Registry model: [Quigley C Michael VELOCITY](https://openairdocs.org/model/quigley-c-michael-velocity) (registry code 05616HG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: HQA-89V61-1
- Airframe hours: 8
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Claude Michael V. Quigley
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 29, 1988, 8 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 311 total, 255 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP, 17 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 19900505013929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900505013929A), May 5, 1990: Amtr VELOCITY, Santa Teresa, NM, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Became airborne on practice high speed test. Stalled and crashed on appraoch to runway.

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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