Probable cause
Failure of the No. 6 cylinder connecting rod, due to improper rotation of the propeller during a previous hydraulic lock.
NTSB analysis
About 5 minutes after takeoff, the engine lost power and the pilot turned back toward the departure airport to make a forced landing. The airplane touched down about ½ mile short of the runway on uneven terrain, seriously injuring the pilot. The pilot was transported to a hospital via helicopter, but died four days later.
Examination of the engine revealed failure of the No. 6 cylinder connecting rod. The connecting rod was most likely initially damaged during ground operations when the propeller was improperly rotated when a cylinder was hydraulically locked. The investigation was not able to determine when the initial damage occurred.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15LA360 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 14, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Nearest airport
- Las Cruces Intl (LRU)
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
North American T 28A
- N-number
- N14124
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1951
- 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.