Incident Overview
A Christen Industries Husky A-1, operated by the US Border Patrol as a public use aircraft, collided with flat desert terrain. At the time of the accident, the pilot was visually tracking footprints near the US-Mexican border.
Sequence of Events
Witnesses observed the aircraft orbiting at a low altitude shortly before it entered a steep turn. During the turn, the nose pitched down, and the aircraft subsequently impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude. A post-impact fire erupted following the collision.
Aircraft Configuration
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the flaps were set to 20 degrees. Additionally, the rear seat back assembly was found to be unlatched at the time of impact.
Flight Manual Information
The airplane flight manual contained performance information concerning stall characteristics. Specifically, the manual indicated an altitude loss of 150 feet during power-off stalls. The manual also stated that 30 degrees of flaps should be used for all flight maneuvers requiring flaps.