# NTSB DEN85FA026: Cessna 340, N4001Q, Las Vegas, NM, October 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1984, 00:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NM
- Coordinates: 35.589027, -105.220588 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5890&lon=-105.2206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA026

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - low pass - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CARRYING ILLEGAL CARGO (MARIJUANA) IN N4001Q. DURING A LOW HIGH SPEED PASS AT NIGHT OVER AN INTENDED LANDING AREA,THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK RISING TERRAIN. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 800 LBS OF MARIJUANA ON THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4001Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4001Q-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 340-0001, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340
- Registry model: [Cessna 340](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340) (registry code 2076404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340-0001
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-J 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Larry Jeter
- Registered owner: Richard S Dickenson

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,715 total, 5,240 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19841029076329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841029076329A), Oct 29, 1984: Cessna 340CESSNA, Las Vegas, NM, Destroyed. Pilot was attempting to locate landing site in desert terrain at night. Impacted ground with illegal cargo.

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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