No fatalities

Aircraft abandonment and crash near Roswell (51-16540)

Roswell, United States of AmericaFlight

On February 14, 1953, a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver (registration 51-16540) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Roswell, United States of America in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot chose to bail out due to worsening weather, leading to an uncontrolled descent and crash. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-14Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot abandoned an aircraft during flight due to worsening weather, resulting in a crash near Roswell.

What happened

During an active flight, the aircraft encountered increasingly severe weather conditions. As the meteorological situation worsened, the pilot made the decision to exit the aircraft via bailout. Following the departure of the pilot, the plane entered a dive and subsequently struck the ground in the vicinity of Roswell.

Upon impact with the terrain, the aircraft was completely destroyed. Despite the severity of the crash, the pilot survived the incident without any injuries.

Findings

  • The decision to abandon the aircraft was prompted by deteriorating weather conditions during the flight phase.

Probable cause

The pilot chose to bail out due to worsening weather, leading to an uncontrolled descent and crash.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 Feb 1953 De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver accident near Roswell, United States of America?

A pilot abandoned an aircraft during flight due to worsening weather, resulting in a crash near Roswell.

Were there any fatalities in the 14 Feb 1953 De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 Feb 1953 involved a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, registration 51-16540, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Roswell, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot chose to bail out due to worsening weather, leading to an uncontrolled descent and crash.