# NTSB DEN85FA246: Cessna 172R, N758UA, Santa Rosa, NM, September 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1985, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Santa Rosa, NM
- Coordinates: 34.940288, -104.670555 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9403&lon=-104.6706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16560/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA246

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, flight instructor(on ground) (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON HIS FIRST X-COUNTRY. HIS LAST SOLO FLT WAS APPROX TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. WITNESSES SAW ACFT ON A RT DOWNWIND FOR RWY 26. THE PLT WAS TOLD A LEFT TRAFFIC PATTER WAS IN USE. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO BE FLYING SLOW AT A LOW ALT, ON A WESTERLY HEADING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF RWY 26. THE ACFT THEN TURNED NORTH AND ENTERED A STEEP LEFT BANK. THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RWY AND A POST CRASH FIRE ERUPTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N758UA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172R
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1723360
- Airframe hours: 1385
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-KB 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Falcon Air Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1985, 89 hours before
- Departed: SAF, SANTA FE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Q5B, Santa Rosa Muni, runway 26, 4,400 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 39 total, 23 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 21 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F

## 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 19850922046659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850922046659A), Sep 22, 1985: Cessna R172K, Santa Rosa, NM, Destroyed. Solo student stalled and impacted ground in turbulent conditions on crosscountry into unfamiliar airport.

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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