# NTSB DEN84FA251: Cessna R172E, N601SP, Farmington, NM, August 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1984, 10:54 local (16:54 UTC)
- Place: Farmington, NM
- Coordinates: 36.749141, -108.180549 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7491&lon=-108.1805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16234
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16234/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA251

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
- Fire, other

## Analysis

AFTER BEING AIRBORNE 1 HOUR AND 10 MINUTES THE TRAFFIC SURVIELLANCE FLT WAS CANCELLED. THE PLT TRANSMITTED TO THE POLICEUNITS ON THE GROUND THAT HE WOULD 'BUZZ' THEM AS HE LEFT THE AREA. DURING THIS PASS THE ACFT STRUCK A HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE 88.9 FT AGL. THE ACFT IMPACTED OUT OF CONTROL IN APRX 70 DEG ANGLE OF BANK 216 FT FROM THE WIRE- STRIKE. MOST OF THE WRECKAGE WAS CONSUMED BY POST CRASH FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N601SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N601SP-1991-03-29), registration cancelled 1991-03-29, S/N R1720253 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172E
- Registry model: [Cessna R172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172e) (registry code 2072413) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1720253
- Airframe hours: 3065
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-D 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial observation, Public use
- Operator: New Mexico State Police
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 1984, 8 hours before
- Departed: FMN, FARMINGTON, NM
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,435 total, 2,121 in this make and model, 79 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMN, 5 nm away

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.

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