Boeing B75N1 accident near Bernal, New Mexico, January 28, 1996
On January 28, 1996 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Boeing B75N1, registered N69808, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bernal, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper planning/decision, including his failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from mountainous terrain to compensate for altitude deviations that resulted from mountain wave/wind conditions. Factors relating to the accident were: the weather/wind conditions, and the proximity of mountainous terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 28, 1996 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Bernal, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Boeing B75N1 · all B75N1s on the register
- Registration
- N69808 · registry record · serial 75-2674
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While in cruise flight at 500 to 1,000 feet above ground level on a cross-country flight, severe turbulence was encountered, and according to the pilot, he was unable to maintain altitude. Subsequently, the airplane collided with trees in mountainous terrain. The pilot walked approximately three miles to the nearest highway. Reportedly, he had received a weather briefing before departure, which provided information that high winds and moderate to severe turbulence could be expected along his entire route of flight.
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: 699 hours in all; 144 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 584 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,417 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 20, 1995; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental W-670-6N (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Trans Mountain Air, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: LVS Las Vegas NM at 9:30 pm
- Destination: SAF Santa Fe NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 35 knots, gusting 45
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.