# NTSB DEN85LA163: Cessna 152, N47822, Sunspot, NM, June 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1985, 08:55 local (14:55 UTC)
- Place: Sunspot, NM
- Coordinates: 32.780273, -105.799858 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7803&lon=-105.7999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16703
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16703/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA163

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FLYING IN THE VALLEYS OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. HE ELECTED TO FLY TO THE LEFT AROUND WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SMALL HILL, BUT WAS ACTUALLY PART OF A RIDGE LINE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT ENTERED A 'DRAW' & WOULD NOT OUT-CLIMB RISING TERRAIN. THE ACFT BEGAN MUSHING, SO THE PLT LOWERED THE NOSE, SELECTED 10 DEG OF FLAPS & TRIED TO LAND IN A RELATIVELY FLAT AREA. HOWEVER, THE ACFT PITCHED FORWARD & IMPACTED THE GROUND AT A 45 DEG ANGLE WHILE AT A SPEED OF APRX 45 TO 50 KTS. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 8500 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N47822 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 1670
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ed'S Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 15, 1984, 70 hours before
- Departed: ALM, ALAMOGORDO, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 282 total, 12 in this make and model, 39 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850614025479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850614025479A), Jun 14, 1985: Cessna 152, Sunspot, NM, Destroyed. Aircraft could not climb over ridge line or do a 360 in valley. Stalled into relatively level area of rough terrain

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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