# NTSB DEN85LA114: Cessna 172, N738LR, Grant, NM, April 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1985, 17:15 local (Apr 10, 1985, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Grant, NM
- Coordinates: 35.150669, -107.829582 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1507&lon=-107.8296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16662
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16662/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA114

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING TAKEOFF FROM A DIRT STRIP NEAR GRANT, NM, WHILE ON A PLEASURE FLT. VMC CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PLT & HIS 3 OCCUPANTS WERE NOT INJURED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT A DUST DEVIL CAUGHT THE ACFT AT AN ALT OF 35-50 FT AGL AND CAUSED THE ACFT TO CRASH INTO THE GROUND. THE PLT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL  PROBLEMS WITH THE ACFT. THE FLD ELEVATION IS ABOUT 6800 FT AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS APRX 65-75 DEG F RESULTING IN A DENSITY ALT OF ABOUT 8700 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738LR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738LR-1989-01-26), registration cancelled 1989-01-26, S/N 17270066 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270066
- Airframe hours: 1550
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William D. Soulsby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: FAM, FARMINGTON, NM
- Airport: runway 9, 4,500 × 60 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 465 total, 436 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °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 19850409014259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850409014259A), Apr 9, 1985: Cessna 172N, Grant, NM, Substantial damage. During initial climb with high density altitude aircraft hit a dust devil and stalled. Struck ground from 35 feet.

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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