# NTSB DEN99LA098: North American SNJ-4, N99DA, Belen, NM, June 6, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1999, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Belen, NM
- Coordinates: 34.649364, -106.770416 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6494&lon=-106.7704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46473
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46473/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA098

## Probable cause

Encounter with soft unsuitable terrain when the aircraft departed the side of the runway during landing roll due to binding in the right main landing gear wheel assembly.  A factor was the binding in the main landing gear.

## 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
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - landing gear,tire - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (cause)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

During the landing roll, in a 4-knot wind, the aircraft departed the left side of the runway into soft, sandy, terrain.  The right main landing gear dug in and collapsed causing damage to the right wing.  An inspection revealed a binding in the left main landing gear wheel and brake.

## Factual narrative

On June 6, 1999, at 0900 mountain daylight time, a North American SNJ-4, N99DA, sustained substantial damage when the right main landing gear collapsed as the aircraft departed the side of the runway during landing roll at Alexander Municipal Airport, Belen, New Mexico.  The commercial pilot and sole occupant was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight departed Santa Fe, New Mexico, at 0830.

According to the pilot, the landing at Belen was a normal wheel landing.  He said the aircraft began to drift to the left during landing roll and he applied right rudder and brake to correct the drift.  The aircraft straightened out for about 2,000 feet of travel and then veered hard left.  The pilot said the application of full right rudder and brake did not correct the swerve and the aircraft departed the left side of the runway into soft sand, causing the right main landing gear to collapse.  In addition, damage was done to the outer portion of the right wing.

Post-accident inspection by a mechanic revealed a binding in the left brake and wheel assembly.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N99DA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: North American SNJ-4
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 88-13391
- Airframe hours: 2593
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David D. Allyn
- Registered owner: Wings Of Yesterday, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1999, 138 hours before
- Departed: SAF, SANTA FE, NM
- Destination: E80
- Airport: E80, Alexander Municipal, runway 3, 6,600 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 8,943 total, 548 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 30 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 19990606021629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990606021629A), Jun 6, 1999: Namer SNJ4, Belen, NM, Substantial damage. On June 6, 1999, at 0805 mountain daylight time, a north American SNJ-4, N99DA, sustained substantial damage when the right main landing gear collapsed as it…

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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