Aeros LTD AEROS 2 accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, August 8, 2015
On August 8, 2015 at about 3:08 pm local time, a 2008 Aeros LTD AEROS 2, registered N5982V, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The ultralight airplane’s encounter with a downdraft in mountainous terrain, which resulted in a descent into trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 8, 2015 · about 3:08 pm local time
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeros LTD AEROS 2 NO SERIES, built 2008 · all AEROS 2s on the register
- Registration
- N5982V · registry record · serial 1290802
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Effect on operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot, student
- Flight time: 222 hours in all; 222 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Flight time: 100 hours in all; 10 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, December 7, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 1,042 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KAEG Albuquerque NM at 3:08 pm
- Destination: KAEG Albuquerque NM
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 15,000 ft; scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 3:08 pm from KAEG, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.