Boeing B75N1 N69808

Summary

On 28 January 1996 at about 22:00 local time, a Boeing B75N1 registered N69808, operated by Trans Mountain Air, Inc., was involved in an accident near Bernal, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 January 1996 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Bernal, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

35.3706, -105.4410

Aircraft

Boeing B75N1

Registration

N69808

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Trans Mountain Air, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Las Vegas → Santa Fe

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA107

1 person had minor injuries.

the pilot's improper planning/decision, including his failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from mountainous terrain to compensate for altitude deviations that resulted from mountain wave/wind conditions. Factors relating to the accident were: the weather/wind conditions, and the proximity of mountainous terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While in cruise flight at 500 to 1,000 feet above ground level on a cross-country flight, severe turbulence was encountered, and according to the pilot, he was unable to maintain altitude. Subsequently, the airplane collided with trees in mountainous terrain. The pilot walked approximately three miles to the nearest highway. Reportedly, he had received a weather briefing before departure, which provided information that high winds and moderate to severe turbulence could be expected along his entire route of flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.