# NTSB DEN85LA183: Cessna 172P, N53410, Rio Rancho, NM, July 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1985, 11:36 local (17:36 UTC)
- Place: Rio Rancho, NM
- Coordinates: 35.190319, -106.689018 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1903&lon=-106.6890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16720
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16720/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA183

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLT, WITH HIS PARENTS AS PAX, THE PLT DECIDED TO DEMONSTRATE A GLIDE DOWN TO APRX 500 FT AGL. WHEN HE ADDED POWER FOR RECOVERY, HE STALLED THE ACFT. BEFORE COMPLETE RECOVERY WAS POSSIBLE, THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53410](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53410-2011-03-17), registration cancelled 2011-03-17, S/N 17274747, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274747
- Airframe hours: 1294
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Seven Bar Flying Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Q64, ALBUQUERQUE, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 542 total, 22 in this make and model, 119 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 5 nm away

## 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 19850707029809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850707029809A), Jul 7, 1985: Cessna 172P, Rio Rancho, NM, Substantial damage. Partial power on recovery from practice emergency landing. Carburetor heat left on, primer out. Stalled to impact.

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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