Piper PA18-50 accident near Lordsburg, New Mexico, May 14, 1991
On May 14, 1991 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Piper PA18-50, registered N2331H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lordsburg, New Mexico. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
PILOT FACTOR IN THAT HE ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER AN INADVERTENT STALL MUSH AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO RECOVER.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 14, 1991 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lordsburg, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA18-50 · all PA18-50s on the register
- Registration
- N2331H · no longer on the register · serial 18-7909169
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE CONDUCTING AN AERIAL OBSERVATION FLIGHT, THE PILOT CONDUCTED A TURN AND INADVERTENTLY ENTERED A STALL MUSH AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND BEFORE THE PILOT COULD RECOVER CONTROL.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 796 hours in all; 277 in this make and model; 240 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 651 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DMN Demming NM at 1:40 pm
- Destination: LSB Lordsberg NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.