# Accident 19990428019992A: Cessna 172N, Las Cruces, NM, April 28, 1999

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 28, 1999, 07:45 local time
- Place: Las Cruces, NM
- Airport: Las Cruces International Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Collision: Midair collision, second aircraft
- Phase of flight: Final Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.2598° N, 106.8198° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2598&lon=-106.8198&mi=10
- Aircraft: N738UF, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738UF-2018-08-20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172N (registry code 2072434, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Reported engine: LYC O320H2AD
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 3,806 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 113 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DEN99LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA067) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990428019992A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

N46204 EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AND THE PILOT RETURNED FOR LANDING. JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHING DOWN ON THE RUNWAY, N46204 LANDED ON TOP OF N738UF. THE PILOT OF N738UF WAS PERFORMING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS WITH HIS STUDENT, AND HAD JUST TOUCHED DOWN WHEN N46204 LANDED ON TOP OF THE RIGHT WING SECTION. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT OF N46204 REQUESTED ASSISTANCE STARTING THE AIRPLANE ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT DUE TO A LOW BATTERY, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS HAND-PROPPED. ACCORDING TO FAR PAR 91.113(B), 'WHEN WEATHER CONDITIONS PERMIT... VIGILANCE SHALL BE MAINTAINED BY EACH PERSON AOPERATING AN AIRRAFT SO AS TO SEE AND AVOID OTHER AIRCRAFT.' IN ADDITION, ACCORDING TO FAR 91.113(G), 'WHEN TWO OR MORE AIRCRAFT ARE APPROACHING AN AIRPORT FOR THE PURPOSE OF LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TOWER ALTITUDE HAS THE RIGHT-OF-WAY, BUT IT SHALL NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RULE TO CUT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER WHICH IS ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND OR TO OVERTAKE THAT AIRCRAFT.' (-23)N738UF WAS PERFORMING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS AND HAD JUST TOUCHED DOWN FOR HIS SECOND LANDING WHEN N46204 LANDED ON TOP OF THE RIGHT WING SECTION.                                                        THE PROPELLER AT N46204 CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO RIGHT WING, RIGHT AILRON AND HORIZONTAL STABILIZER.

## Other aircraft in the event

- N46204, Cessna 172I: [Accident 19990428019991A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990428019991A)

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB DEN99LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA067), Apr 28, 1999: Cessna 172N (N738UF), Las Cruces, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot of N46204's failure to maintain visual lookout and to identify the other aircraft visually during landing.

## Other reports on N738UF (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20031128032039I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031128032039I), Nov 28, 2003: Cessna 172N (N738UF), Jacksonville, TX. (-23) 11/28/2003 On flight plan and flight following, engine running rough landed at lagrange, TX (3T5). Mechanic reset mag. Departed enroute to Cherokee…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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