Amateur-built COZY III N904DB accident near Los Lunas, New Mexico

Probable cause

The seizure of the propeller gearbox for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in a forced landing.

NTSB analysis

After an uneventful 1-hour personal flight in the experimental amateur-built airplane, the pilot was setting up for an approach to the airport when the propeller seized. The pilot attempted to land at the airport but slightly overshot the runway. The landing gear sheared upon touchdown, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and center fuselage section. Examination of the airplane revealed that the propeller gearbox was seized. Examination of the gearbox did not reveal any obvious reason for the seizure. The airplane and engine had been operated about 13.4 total hours since its initial airworthiness certificate was issued about 6 years before the accident. The reason for the gearbox seizure could not be determined based on the available information.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18LA117 for the full record.