# NTSB DEN86FA008: Cessna 175A, N6959E, Jal, NM, October 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1985, 22:00 local (Oct 11, 1985, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Jal, NM
- Coordinates: 32.110626, -103.180961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1106&lon=-103.1810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA008

## 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 condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate recurrent training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

A WITNESS WATCHED THE ACFT TAKEOFF AND DISAPPEAR IN THE DARKNESS. THE PLT HAD INTENDED TO MAKE 3 TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS TO REGAIN CURRENCY FOR NIGHT FLYING. THE ACFT NEVER RETURNED. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 2 MILES NORTH OF THE ARPT THE FOLLOWING MORNING. WX WAS DESCRIBED AS BEING HAZY WITH A LOW OVERCAST, PATCHY GROUND FOG, AND REDUCED VISIBILITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6959E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6959E-2012-10-15), registration cancelled 2012-10-15, S/N 56459, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175A
- Registry model: [Cessna 175A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175a) (registry code 2072504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 175-56459
- Airframe hours: 1947
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Merl E. Lopp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 4, 1984, 28 hours before
- Departed: E26
- Airport: E26, Lea County/Jal, runway 1, 3,600 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 229 total, 10 in this make and model, 196 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles

## 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 19851010076519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851010076519A), Oct 10, 1985: Cessna STC175, Jal, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Descended too low on turn to final and impacted ground. Was getting night currency on a dark, foggy night.

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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