Cessna A185F accident near Angel Fire, New Mexico, June 27, 2026
On June 27, 2026 at about 3:23 pm local time, a 1973 Cessna A185F, registered N151PB, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Angel Fire, New Mexico (Angel Fire airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing with a crosswind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 27, 2026 · about 3:23 pm local time
- Place
- Angel Fire, New Mexico · Angel Fire · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185F, built 1973 · all A185Fs on the register
- Registration
- N151PB · registry record · serial 185-02146
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, a strong gust of wind lifted the right wing, which resulted in the left wing tip striking the ground adjacent to the runway. The pilot initiated a go-around; however, after the airplane became airborne, the wind pushed the airplane to the left, and it settled into a ditch on the left side of the runway. Upon exiting the ditch, the airplane became airborne, and the wind pushed the airplane toward an airport perimeter fence. Subsequently, the left main landing gear struck the fence and the airplane nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, left horizontal stabilizer, and left elevator. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 17 with wind from 250° at 9 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (aborted after touchdown)
- Other weather encounter during landing (landing roll)
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 601.2 hours in all; 56.8 in this make and model; 36.7 in the last 90 days; 16.3 in the last 30 days; 538.1 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 31, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520D (piston); 941 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SRR Ruidoso NM at 1:55 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 8,300 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 9 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observation at 9:35 am from KAXX
Weather report (METAR): METAR KAXX 271535Z AUTO 25009G18KT 200V280 10SM CLR 19/07 A3028 RMK AO2 T01860070
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR26LA238.