RUIDOSO, NM, USA
N1190D
Price GLASAIR 1-RG
The pilot said that shortly after takeoff, the engine 'started cutting out and was not developing enough power to maintain altitude.' The pilot made a shallow right turn and landed on a new crosswind runway which was still under construction. The runway was covered with snow, and shortly after touchdown the 'motor caught and I became airborne again.' During the second landing, the airplane impacted foot high gravel piles, and nosed over. The pilot said that he had been getting 'some water' from his fuel tank sump checks over the previous two months.
On December 30, 1999, approximately 1200 mountain standard time, a Price Glasair 1-RG homebuilt, N1190D, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground and nosed over following a forced landing after takeoff from Sierra Blanca Regional Airport, Ruidoso, New Mexico. The private pilot, sole occupant aboard, received minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated by the owner/pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot said that shortly after takeoff from runway 24, the engine "started cutting out and was not developing enough power to maintain altitude." The pilot made a shallow right turn and landed on a new crosswind runway which was still under construction. The runway was covered with snow. The pilot said after the airplane touched down, the "motor caught and I became airborne again." During the second landing, the airplane impacted foot high gravel piles, and nosed over. The vertical stabilizer, both wings, and landing gear were damaged. The pilot said that during his preflight aircraft checks over the previous two months, he had been getting "some water" from his fuel tank sump checks.
The failure of the pilot to perform an adequate preflight, and the subsequent partial power loss as a result of water contamination in the fuel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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