Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, while landing in strong, gusty, surface wind, the airplane bounced and then shifted to the right. When the airplane touched down again, the main landing gear assembly separated and the nose landing gear was crushed aft, damaging the fuselage structure where both were mounted. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA395 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 14, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Moriarity, New Mexico
- Nearest airport
- Moriarty Airport (KOEO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built LONG-EZ
- N-number
- N81DN
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.