N432DM

On September 16, 2025, about 1132 mountain daylight time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N432DM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Moriarty, New Mexico. The pilot receiving instruction was fatally injured and the flight instructor received serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The pilot had purchased the airplane about two months before the accident and was flying with a flight instructor to familiarize himself with the airplane. ADS-B data showed the airplane departed Sandia Airpark Estates East Airport (1N1), Edgewood, New Mexico, about 1035. The airplane flew several traffic patterns at 1N1 before departing the traffic pattern, flying about 20 miles north of 1N1, and turning south towards Moriarty Municipal Airport (0E0), Moriarty, New Mexico. The airplane flew one visual approach to runway 26 at 0E0. Following the approach the airplane continued on runway heading for about 2 miles before it started a left descending turn. The data showed that the airplane performed a 180° left turn and descended to about 50-100 ft above ground level (agl). The airplane remained at an altitude between 50 and 100 ft agl on an easterly heading for about 1 mile before it impacted a powerline and terrain.

A postaccident examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane came to rest on the west edge of an open field, about 300 ft from the impact point with the powerlines, which were about 40 ft in height. All flight control surfaces were identified at the accident site and flight control continuity was verified from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces. The left wing exhibited leading edge damage and buckling.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.