Windy Conditions Made Flight Challenging, Four Fatally Injured
The pilot of a Mooney M20E attempting to depart Angle Fire Airport (KAXX) in New Mexico for a return trip to Dallas, TX following a ski vacation went down shortly after takeoff, resulting in the fatal injury of all four people on board. Winds at the time of the departure were reported to be 33 knots gusting to 47 knots, but the pilot told an FBO employee that the winds "would not be a problem," and attempted the departure.