Event WPR26FA051

Factual narrative

On November 26, 2025, about 1145 mountain standard time, an American Aviation AA-1A airplane, N9439L was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Alamogordo, New Mexico. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot had recently purchased the airplane and received his private pilot certificate about one month prior to the accident. On Nov 24, 2025, he began a long cross-country flight that departed Palm Beach County Park Airport (LNA), Palm Springs, Florida, about 1310. He flew to several destinations and landed at DeFuniak Springs Airport (54J), DeFuniak Springs, Florida, about 1843. On Nov 25, he departed 54J about 0921 and flew to several destinations and then landed at Cavern City Air Terminal (CNM), Carlsbad, New Mexico, about 2238. The morning of November 26, 2025, the airplane departed CNM about 0702 and landed at Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport (ALM), Alamogordo, New Mexico, about 0803. About 1132, the airplane departed ALM and when the airplane did not return a concerned family member alerted authorities. The FAA then issued an Alert Notice (ALNOT) for the missing airplane. Subsequently, the airplane wreckage was located the next morning by the New Mexico State police about 7 miles east of ALM. Preliminary flight track data was not available for the accident flight. The airplane came to rest on an ascending mountainous slope, at an elevation of about 6,300 ft mean sea level, on a heading of 150° magnetic. The rocky terrain was composed of downed trees, tree limbs, and loosely spaced pine trees that were about 75 ft in height. The first identified point of impact was the top of a tree, with several other severed tree branches. All major components of the airplane were contained within the accident site. Most of the airplane’s wreckage was consumed by a post impact fire. The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for future examination. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12