Plane Crash near Santa Teresa, NM

[SkyHog]

2 men die in fiery plane crash near Santa Teresa

Eds: APNewsNow. SANTA TERESA, N.M. (AP) - Two men have been killed when the small propeller airplane they were riding in crashed just northwest of the Santa Teresa airport.

Investigators are working to determine the identities of the pilot and passenger, whose bodies were burned beyond recognition in Saturday's crash.

New Mexico State Police Officer Joe Ballesteros says nearby hikers saw the four-seat aircraft take off around 6 p.m. from the airport.

The plane flew into heavy weather before crashing and catching fire. Ballesteros says the plane was registered to ST Inc. in Peoria, Ariz.

Investigators have not determined if the crash victims attended a conference nearby of private and experimental aircraft owners. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are expected to begin their investigation Sunday.

We have some local members down there....anyone know anything?

 

[Geico266]

There was a 3 day weekend RV event at Santa Teresa, NM (K5T6) call LOE (Land of Enchantment) RV Flyin. http://www.vansairforce.net/loe/loervfi.htm.

The two victims were in a 180 HP "1999" Maule, N4257C and took off into a sever rain storm around 6:00PM. Witnesses said; "They just disappeared into a wall of rain after takeoff, and it was very scarey." After the rain squall passed they could see black smoke and flames from the airport. The wreckage was located 5 miles to the west of the airport. The 2 guys were returning to Peoria, AZ (KP48) after spending the day talking to friends & vendors at LOE.

I was not there, and I hate speculation before the facts are in, but it appears they took off into a sever down draft and could not maintain altitude. This is from several of my RV buddies that were there and were eye witnesses.

Very sad, totally avoidable.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

I was there Fri, and this am, the news report agrees with several eyewitness accounts I overheard, there seems to be very little wiggle room in this one

 

[SCCutler]

I was there Fri, and this am, the news report agrees with several eyewitness accounts I overheard, there seems to be very little wiggle room in this one

The circumstances described would allow for none...

 

[Geico266]

The victims were building an RV-10 (Van's 4 seater) and spent the day talking to friends, other RV-10 owners, getting ideas for their building project, and talking to the few vendors that were at LOE. From all accounts these were great guys to know, good builders, and dedicated family men.