# NTSB DEN86FA038: Cessna C-182, N52599, Gallup, NM, November 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1985, 19:30 local (Nov 29, 1985, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Gallup, NM
- Coordinates: 35.520332, -108.730339 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5203&lon=-108.7303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA038

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather forecast - inaccurate, nws personnel (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED LAS CRUCES, NM, ON A VFR FLT TO GALLUP,NM. APPROX 23 MILES FROM DESTINATION, IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT ENCOUNTERED UNFORECAST SNOW STORM CONDITONS AT NIGHT. WHILE THE PLT WAS MANEUVERING TOWARD THE DESTINATION AT A LOW ALTITUDE IN CONDITIONS OF LOW CEILING, LOW VISIBILITY AND DARKNESS, THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52599](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52599-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 18262698, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18262698
- Airframe hours: 3598
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Albert A. Leroy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1985, 47 hours before
- Departed: LRU, LAS CRUCES, NM
- Destination: GUP, GALLUP, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GUP, Gallup

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 272 total, 60 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUP, 60 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 19851128060839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851128060839A), Nov 28, 1985: Cessna 182P, Gallup, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into mountainous area with deteriorating visibility in heavy snow showers. Lost control and impacted trees.

## Other investigations on N52599 (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN77DTE57](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77DTE57), Jun 14, 1977: Cessna 182 (N52599), Ft. Collins, CO, substantial damage

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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