Zlin Aviation S.R.O. Savage accident near Mosquero, New Mexico, August 15, 2007
On August 15, 2007 at about 3:53 pm local time, a Zlin Aviation S.R.O. Savage, registered N808GS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mosquero, New Mexico. 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 airspeed while maneuvering, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the conflicting airspeed information provided by the manufacturer, the incorrect airspeed indicator markings, and the high density altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 15, 2007 · about 3:53 pm local time
- Place
- Mosquero, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Zlin Aviation S.R.O. Savage
- Registration
- N808GS · no longer on the register · serial 0073
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to GPS data the airplane was making a 360 degree turn to the left at an altitude of 350 feet agl. GPS altitude data depicted an immediate descent at a rate of 2,200 to 3,300 feet per minute, at a ground speed of 59 miles per hour. Examination of the wreckage revealed impact damage signatures on the fuselage, engine cowling, and wings consistent with a stall. No evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies was discovered. The investigation revealed discrepancies between the airspeed indicator and the airspeed guidance provided in the airplane flight manual. In addition, rate of climb data and the effects of nonstandard atmospheric pressure and nonstandard temperature on performance were not presented in the flight manual. This additional information is not specified by the current ASTM consensus standards. Density altitude, at the accident site, was between 7,450 and 8,360 feet.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,400 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 28 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: December 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 60.5 hours
- Last inspection: type not recorded, July 1, 2007; 32.4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,235 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Bell Ranch Apt NM at 3:30 pm
- Destination: PVT Bell Ranch Apt NM
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 16 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from TCC, 46 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.