Ams Flight CARAT A N234CT

Summary

On 16 July 2008 at about 20:20 local time, a Ams Flight CARAT A registered N234CT was involved in an accident near Edgewood, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 July 2008 at 20:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Edgewood, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Moriarty (0E0)

Coordinates

35.0247, -106.2347

Aircraft

Ams Flight CARAT A

Registration

N234CT

Category

Glider

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Moriarty → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW08LA187

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude resulting in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The motor glider had been soaring for approximately one-half hour when lift disappeared and it began to get into an area of significant sink. The private pilot was unable to restart the engine and attempted an emergency landing in rocky, hilly terrain. A witness saw the glider suddenly pitch down and "nose dive" into the ground from an altitude of approximately 150 feet AGL . An examination of the glider wreckage revealed damage consistent with a nose-low, nearly vertical impact.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.