On September 2, 1991, a Boeing A 75N1 (registration N61248) operated by Haicharles Hainline was involved in an aviation accident near Lordsburg, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inability to maintain adequate airspeed during the takeoff climb due to a downdraft, which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with the ground. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During the takeoff climb, a pilot encountered a downdraft that caused critical airspeed loss. Unable to maintain flight, he executed a forced landing before the aircraft stalled and struck rising terrain.
What happened
According to the pilot's account, the incident occurred during the initial phase of flight following takeoff. As the aircraft climbed, it encountered a downdraft that significantly impacted performance. The pilot reported being unable to prevent his airspeed from dropping to dangerously low levels while attempting to maintain controlled flight.
The situation deteriorated rapidly as the aircraft approached a stall condition. Recognizing the imminent loss of lift, the pilot was forced to execute a forced landing. The aircraft struck the ground in a relatively flat attitude before subsequently impacting rising terrain.
Probable cause
The pilot's inability to maintain adequate airspeed during the takeoff climb due to a downdraft, which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with the ground.