What happened
On March 6, 2026, at approximately 11:36 MST, a Columbia Aircraft LC41-550FG, registration N2516S, was involved in an accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The aircraft was operating under instrument flight rules on a flight from Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) to Albuquerque International Sunport (KABQ).
According to FAA ADS-B data, the aircraft departed Wichita at approximately 09:22 CST, climbing to a maximum altitude of 12,000 feet MSL. At 11:27 MST, the pilot turned south and began a descent toward KABQ. At 11:32, the pilot notified air traffic control of power loss and declared an emergency approximately 5 miles north-northeast of the runway departure end. The final communication from the pilot occurred at 11:38, stating they were searching for a location to perform an emergency landing.
Security camera footage showed the aircraft striking a large tree at a level attitude on a golf course located roughly 3.3 nm northeast of KABQ. The tree served as the first point of contact. The aircraft's debris field spanned approximately 390 feet. Following the impact, the pilot and passenger were fatally injured.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the airframe confirmed that flight control continuity was maintained from the cockpit side stick controls to the flight control surfaces, despite fractures in the elevator and aileron push/pull rods. The rudder control cables remained intact from the pedals to the rudder bellcrank. Investigators also collected fluid consistent with 100LL aviation gasoline from multiple locations.