Pilot Talks About Flying In Windy Weather

Two weekend plane crashes in New Mexico are being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. Both crashes have local pilots talking about flying and safety.

The crash near Ruidoso was not deadly. It happened Sunday afternoon at the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport.

Sierra Blanca Regional Airport officials said the pilot and passenger are not from the area. They said the two are from Texas but did not specify what city.

New Mexico State Police officials said strong winds may have played a factor in the crash. Windy weather is something local pilots said they always keep in mind.

“I’ve had some windy, windy, windy landing where I was really glad that my skills were good enough and solid enough that I made a safe landing. You get out of the airplane and say, ‘Well, you know, that was amazing,'” said former El Paso Mayor Suzie Azar.

She has been flying for more than 30 years and has been a flight instructor for 27. She explained Sunday’s winds were so brutal, she canceled her classes.

Azar said this area is especially challenging this time of year because of the crosswinds and gusts that can throw pilots off.

“They may be set up pretty well and then a big gust comes along, and when you’re airborne, you have to just be right present with the airplane. You have to know to apply power and go around and try again,” she said.

According to New Mexico State Police officials, the pilot of the twin Cherokee was trying to land at the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport when the plane was hit by high winds. Officials said the pilot touched down, but started running out of runway. They said the plane tried to take off again, but crashed.

“We have a saying in aviation, ‘Time to spare, go by air,'” Azar said. She explained that it’s important for pilots to plan ahead and check the forecast.

It’s not clear what kind of experience the pilot involved in the crash near Ruidoso had, but Azar said that area can be a challenge, even for experienced pilots.

“The pilot who gets behind their airplane and doesn’t do the precautions necessary isn’t going to have a good result,” she said.

Local pilots said the reason why most airlines don’t cancel flights during strong wind is because they are more stable, have more power and are heavy enough to plow through.