# NTSB CEN15LA359: Aeros Aeros 2, N5982V, Albuquerque, NM, August 8, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 2015, 09:08 local (15:08 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.302223, -107.156669 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3022&lon=-107.1567&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 91789 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA359 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91789/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91789 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA359 ## Probable cause The ultralight airplane’s encounter with a downdraft in mountainous terrain, which resulted in a descent into trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeros AEROS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=05903D6), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeros AEROS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05903D6), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Aeros AEROS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05903D6), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeros AEROS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05903D6), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeros AEROS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05903D6), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said that he and his pilot-rated passenger were flying the ultralight airplane through some canyons when they encountered a "downdraft" or mountain "rotor." Despite applying full power and placing the wing in a climb attitude, the airplane continued to descend, and it impacted trees. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2015, at 0908 mountain daylight time, an Aeros-2, N5982V, a weight-shift ultralight aircraft, encountered a mountain rotor wind and crashed.20 miles northwest of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were seriously injured. The ultralight aircraft was substantially damaged. The ultralight aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from Double Eagle II Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 0727.The pilot told a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he and his pilot-rated passenger had been flying near a ridgeline when they encountered a "mountain rotor wind." Control was lost and the ultralight aircraft impacted terrain. In his written statement to FAA, the pilot stated that he and his pilot-rated passenger flew through some canyons before landing on a dirt road to enjoy the views and scenery. After about 30 minutes, they took off and flew back through the canyons. The pilot stated he encountered what he thought was a downdraft or mountain rotor. Full power and a climb attitude failed to arrest the descent and the ultralight aircraft collided with trees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5982V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5982V), registered now, S/N 1290802, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROS LTD AEROS 2 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Aeros AEROS-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeros-aeros-2) (registry code 05903D6) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1290802 - Year built: 2008 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Guedel, Edward J - Registered owner: Guedel, Edward J - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 7, 2014 - Departed: KAEG, Albuquerque, NM - Destination: KAEG, Albuquerque, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: serious; student, sport pilot; medical: class 3; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 222 total, 222 in this make and model - Pilot; age 37; injuries: serious; sport pilot; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 100 total, 10 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KAEG, 20 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20150808014389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150808014389A), Aug 8, 2015: Aeros Ltd AEROS-2, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. On August 8, 2015 at 0900 MDT, an Aeros ii, N5982V, encountered a down draft and crashed into a tree twenty miles west, northwest of Double Eagle II Airport,… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91789. 49 KB in all. - Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433321&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.