May 25, Los Lunas, N.M. / Ercoupe 415D

At approximately 1530 mountain time, an Engineering and Research Corporation 415D struck power lines and crashed a half mile west of Mid-Valley Airpark. The pilot and passenger were killed. Witnesses said the airplane entered a left traffic pattern for runway 36, but strong easterly crosswinds had the airplanes wings wobbling. One witness called the pilot on the radio and suggested he land on a closed runway that is normally used as a taxiway. The pilot acknowledged and made a tight turn toward the downwind leg, striking power lines with the left wing.