# NTSB FTW83FQA01: Cassutt 111M, N19L, Moriarty, NM, October 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1982, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Moriarty, NM
- Coordinates: 34.999477, -106.040351 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9995&lon=-106.0404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FQA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FQA01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOKOFF TO DELEIVER THE AIRCRAFT TO A NEW OWNER. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT TURNED AS IF TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND SUDDENLY NOSED DOWN AND DOVE AT A 30 TO 45 DEGREE ANGLE. BEFORE LEVELING OFF, IT MUSHED INTO THE GROUND HARD ENOUGH TO DRIVE LANDING GEAR STRUTS THROUGH THE WINGS. NO ENGINE SOUNDS WERE HEARD AS AIRCRAFT DESCENDED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE EXTREMELY SOOTED. NO OTHER PREIMPACT ENGINE PROBLEMS WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19L-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 162, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CASSUTT 111M
- Registry model: [Cassutt IIIM](https://openairdocs.org/model/cassutt-iiim) (registry code 19704G7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 162
- Airframe hours: 298
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald Lee Moorman
- Registered owner: James C. Clayton
- Departed: 0E0, MORIARTY, NM
- Destination: SAF, SANTA FE, NM
- Airport: 0E0, Moriarty, runway 26, 4,600 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,171 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19821025055179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821025055179A), Oct 25, 1982: Amtrsx CASSUTT3M, Moriarty, NM, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Aircraft stalled in turn back toward airport. Possible fuel exhaustion. Overrich mixture.

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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