Accident Pilot Sent A Text Indicating That The Airplane, “Shakes A Little Bit. I Don’T Know If Its Normal.”

Location: Chamberino, NM Accident Number: WPR24FA213
Date & Time: June 25, 2024, 13:39 Local Registration: N9709
Aircraft: Grumman Acft Eng Corschweizer G-164A Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On June 25, 2024, about 1339 mountain daylight time, a Grumman Aircraft-Schweizer G-164A, N9709, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Chamberino, New Mexico. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the operator and chief pilot, the accident pilot had recently received his tailwheel endorsement, and this was the pilot’s first flight in the accident make and model airplane. The chief pilot instructed the accident pilot to takeoff, climb up “a couple thousand feet” and practice turns, climbs and descents, then return to Dona Ana County International Jetport Airport (DNA), Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

The chief pilot reported that the pilot departed DNA about 1330. According to a witness, he saw the airplane flying about 600 ft above ground level, about 15 miles west of DNA. A former pilot and long-time resident of the area, the witness remarked that the airplane’s engine sounded normal, and did not sound “bogged down.” During the flight, the chief pilot and the accident pilot attempted to communicate via radio to no avail, and ultimately exchanged text messages to facilitate communication with each other. 

During the nearly 10-minute flight, the accident pilot sent a text indicating that the airplane, “shakes a little bit. I don’t know if its normal.” The chief pilot replied, “Yeah, it’s just a lot of horsepower on the front of the plane.” Moments later, the chief pilot sent another text message asking the accident pilot, “Are you okay?” with no response. The chief pilot saw a plume of smoke near the area where the accident pilot was operating. The chief pilot boarded an airplane, flew toward the plume of smoke and located the wreckage.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted sand covered terrain and came to rest on a heading of about 020° magnetic. No visible ground scars were observed at the accident site. The empennage sustained thermal damage with most of the primary structure present. The fuselage, cockpit, and inboard portions of the upper and lower right and left wings were mostly consumed by fire. The outboard portions of the upper and lower left and right wings were intact. The left lower wingtip was located about 50 ft west of the main wreckage. All major structural components of the airplane were located at the accident site. 

The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov