20021103030339A

(.19) On November 3, 2002, approximately 1225 mountain standard time, a Cirrus design corp. SR20, single-engine airplane, N566T, was destroyed after impacting the terrain while maneuvering near las vegas, new Mexico. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to the pilot and a private individual and operated by the pilot. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 code of federal regulations part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight departed an unknown location at an unknown time, and was destined for double eagle ii airport (aeg), albuquerque, new Mexico. According to the new Mexico state police, the pilot departed fargo, north dakota, on the morning of the accident with a planned destination of albuquerque. After failing to arrive at aeg, a family member reported to the new Mexico state police that the airplane was overdue. An employee of the U.S. Fish and wildlife service, las vegas national wildlife refuge, reported that the 9,000 acre wildlife refuge was open to the public on sundays in November. The public was able to tour the refuge on a 4.5 mile one-way autotour loop road to view the migratory bird activity. On the morning of the accident, between 0820 and 0840, the weather was clear; however, a front was coming in from the east. From 0900 until 1045, the employee logged 4 vehicles with a total of 11 individuals that entered the refuge. The employee and a refuge volunteer discussed that the weather was not good for bird viewing and thought the front would possibly blow over. Between 1100 and 1115, the volunteer drove on the loop road, and at this time, the "fog was heavy." Approximately 1330, the employee closed the front entrance gate and made a final drive through the loop road. At that time, the employee reported the "fog was very heavy and visibility was very poor, probably no more than 30 [meters], and [the employee] remembered driving through pockets of heavier fog." While driving west on the loop road near the exit, the employee discovered a portion of the airplane wreckage on the side of the road. The airplane impacted a field in the wildlife refuge approximately 6 miles south of the las vegas municipal airport (lvs). The wreckage energy path measured approximately 1,200 feet in length on a measured magnetic heading of 280 degrees at an elevation of 6,540 feet. The global positioning system (GPS) coordinates recorded at the accident site were latitude north 35 degrees 31.44 minutes and longitude west 105 degrees 10.02 minutes. At 1253, the recorded weather at lvs was wind 090 degrees at 11 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky overcast at 500 feet AGL, temperature 32 degrees fahrenheit, dew point 29 degrees fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.19 inches of mercury. (-23) on November 3, 2002, at approximately 1225 MST, a Cirrus SR-20-SR20 a single engine aircraft, N566T was destroyed after impacting the terrain while maneuvering near las vegas, NM. The private pilot was the sole occupant of the airplane and sustained fatal injuries. IMC conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. Mr. Steenson was enroute from fargo, ND to albuquerque, NM.