What happened
On July 6, 2025, at approximately 1345 mountain daylight time, a Beech F3 and5, registration N5009B, was destroyed following an accident near Eagle Nest, New Mexico. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use. The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury.
The pilot had traveled to Angel Fire Airport (AXX) earlier in the week and returned to the airport on the morning of the accident to refuel. After adding 28 gallons of fuel, the pilot returned to the airport just after noon with family members. The aircraft departed at approximately 1330.
Prior to departure, witnesses observed the pilot performing maintenance on the nose gear. The pilot's wife noted that the nose gear strut had a known leak and was frequently serviced with air. Although the pilot's wife expressed concern regarding approaching storm clouds surrounding the airport, the pilot intended to monitor the weather via the ForeFlight application and planned to return to the airport if conditions became unsafe.
Following takeoff to the north, the aircraft disappeared. An alert notice (ALNOT) was issued by the FAA after the pilot failed to arrive at his destination in Hobbs. Two days later, the wreckage was located approximately 10 miles northeast of AXX, resting on a 30° slope at an elevation of 9,932 feet msl at the end of a box canyon.
The investigation
The wreckage was found in an area of loose rock and dense pine and aspen trees. The investigation of the site revealed that the initial point of impact involved the tops of three trees, which had their crowns severed. Fragments of wing skins were found at the base of these trees, and the outboard section of the left wing was located within the branches of one tree.
A ground disruption measuring 10 feet wide and 18 inches deep, containing both propeller blades, was located 25 feet northeast of the first impact. The tail section, cabin, and right wing were located near this disruption. Aside from the left wing and the outboard section of the right wing, the majority of the aircraft was consumed by fire, leaving only burnt aluminum, plastic, and steel remnants.