# NTSB FTW74AF012: Lockheed L-18, N669M, Pecos, TX, September 4, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 4, 1973
- Place: Pecos, TX · PECOS, TX
- Location: 31.4229° N, 103.4932° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pecos, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4229&lon=-103.4932&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188640
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW74AF012
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74AF012

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2599   73/9/4    PECOS,TEX           LOCKHEED L-18       CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 56, 3290
        TIME - 0554                    N669M               PX-  2  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 13 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PECOS MUNICIPAL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PECOS,TEX                  UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAKEOFF: RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N669M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N669M-1973-10-25), registration cancelled 1973-10-25, S/N 18-2591 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LOCKHEED L-18
- Registry model: [Lockheed 18-56](https://openairdocs.org/model/lockheed-18-56) (registry code 5261642) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Pecos Municipal

## 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 19730904028229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730904028229A), Sep 4, 1973: Lkheed 18LEARSTAR, Pecos, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal

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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