Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415D accident near Los Lunas, New Mexico, May 25, 2003
On May 25, 2003 at about 8:48 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415D, registered N93971, was destroyed in an accident near Los Lunas, New Mexico (Mid Valley Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the transmission wire. Contributing factors were the high wind, the pilot's decision to make a low-altitude turn onto the crosswind leg, and the power line.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 25, 2003 · about 8:48 pm local time
- Place
- Los Lunas, New Mexico · Mid Valley Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415D
- Registration
- N93971 · no longer on the register · serial 1294
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to one witness, the airplane passed over the airpark and entered on a left downwind leg for landing. When the airplane turned onto final approach, it was crabbing about 45 degrees into a strong, gusty, right crosswind. The wings were "wobbling." The witness called the pilot on the radio and suggested that he abandon the approach, and maneuver to land on the closed crosswind runway (it was closed because it was used only as a taxiway). The pilot acknowledged. Another witness saw the airplane nose pitch up, then it made a tight left-hand turn onto the crosswind leg and collided with power lines. Other witnesses in the area said there were rain showers and hail "the size of a quarter." The power lines consisted of 6 conductors and 2 static lines. The lower of the two static lines (#38 EHS, stainless steel, 0.36 inches in diameter), bore paint scrapes of the same color as the airplane's wing. This part of the wire was 55 feet, 10 inches above the ground.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 255 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,335 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 25, 2002
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A-16 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ATS Artesia NM at 6:45 pm
- Destination: E98 Los Lunas NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 4,340 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 19 knots, gusting 31
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 20,000 ft; a few clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:56 pm from ABQ, 27 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.