Mooney Makes Forced Landing Near Mountains In Winter Conditions

A pilot and his two passengers are reported safe with only minor injuries after a forced landing midday Friday about 20 miles east of Albuquerque, NM.

Pilot Keith A. King of San Angelo, TX, flying a 1963 Mooney M20C (type shown at right) from San Angelo (SJT) to Albuquerque (ABQ), experienced a "power outage" and went down in the Sedillo Hill area, a section of high plains adjacent to Tijeras Canyon separating the Sandia and Manzano mountains.

It was not made clear in media reports whether the aircraft suffered a loss of engine power, or electrical power.

State Police Lt. Eric Garcia said the pilot and passengers were treated at the scene for minor injuries, the Associated Press reported. Federal Aviation Administration records show the aircraft registered to Shelby Aviation, LLC in San Angelo, TX.

National Weather Service data indicated adverse winter weather conditions in the area, with ABQ reporting freezing temperatures and light snow at the time of the incident. (Conditions were a bit worse in the East Mountain area, however... with heavy blowing snow reported, and significant mountain obscuration starting from approximately 7,000' MSL -- Ed.)

The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting the investigation. Local media reported the aircraft's final destination was to be Las Vegas, NV.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov, www.faa.gov