Summary
On May 22, 1995, a Cessna 172H (N2840L) was involved in an accident near San Ignacio, NM. The accident resulted in 2 serious injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE PILOT FLYING AT AN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO CLEAR SURROUNDING TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE: HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.
On May 22, 1995, at 0830 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N2840L, impacted mountainous terrain near San Ignacio, New Mexico. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for this local area personal flight which departed Las Vegas, New Mexico, at 0745.
According to the FAA inspector who conducted the on scene portion of the investigation, the flight was proceeding up a canyon with the occupants looking at real estate. The FAA inspector said that the pilot reported that the aircraft could not out-climb the terrain or reverse course.
This accident is documented in NTSB report FTW95LA214. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2840L.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT FLYING AT AN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO CLEAR SURROUNDING TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE: HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On May 22, 1995, at 0830 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N2840L, impacted mountainous terrain near San Ignacio, New Mexico. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for this local area personal flight which departed Las Vegas, New Mexico, at 0745.
According to the FAA inspector who conducted the on scene portion of the investigation, the flight was proceeding up a canyon with the occupants looking at real estate. The FAA inspector said that the pilot reported that the aircraft could not out-climb the terrain or reverse course. The pilot said the aircraft entered trees while attempting to turn and climb.
The accident site elevation was 8,500 feet above mean sea level (msl) and the density altitude at the time was 11,500 feet msl.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW95LA214