N2516S – COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT MFG LC41-550FG – 2026-03-06 NTSB Accident Report

On March 6, 2026, about 1136 mountain standard time (MST), a Columbia Aircraft LC41-550FG, N2516S, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The airplane was on an instrument flight rules flight plan from Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower National Airport (ICT), Wichita, Kansas to Albuquerque International Sunport (KABQ), Albuquerque, New Mexico. The pilot and the passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

A review of preliminary ADS-B data from the FAA revealed that the pilot departed Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower National Airport (ICT), Wichita, Kansas, about 0922 central standard time. The airplane flew west and climbed to a maximum cruise altitude of about 12,000 ft mean sea level (msl). At 1127 MST, the airplane turned left to the south and started a descent towards ABQ. At 1132, the pilot reported to air traffic control that he was losing power and subsequently declared an emergency about 5 miles north-northeast from the departure end of runway. The pilot's last transmission was captured at 1138 and advised the controller that he was looking for an area to initiate an emergency landing.

A security camera showed the airplane impact a large tree at a level attitude located on a golf course about 3.3 nm northeast of ABQ. Multiple broken branches were found at the base of the tree, which was also the airplane’s first identified point of contact (FIPC). After the airplane came to rest, witnesses confirmed that the pilot was in the left seat and the passenger was in the right seat. All major components of the airplane were located within the debris field.

The debris field was about 390 ft long and on a directional heading of about 197° magnetic. The first ground scar was located about 200 ft south of the FIPC. Multiple ground scars extended forward from the FIPC and were consistent with impact from the leading edge of the right wing. Three propeller strikes and a large ground scar, consistent with the impact of the engine, were located about 253 ft and 257 ft away from the FIPC, respectively. The airplane came to rest at an elevation of 5,416 ft msl and on a magnetic heading of 090°, about 347 ft from the FIPC. (See Figure 1).

Figure 1. View of accident site on Google Earth with ADS-B flight track overlay

Postaccident examination of the airframe confirmed flight control continuity from the cockpit side stick controls to each respective flight control surface through fractures in the elevator and aileron push/pull rods. The rudder control cables remained intact from the cockpit rudder pedals to the rudder bellcrank.

Fluid consistent in appearance and odor with 100LL aviation grade gasoline was collected from multiple locations and was retained.

The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.