# NTSB DEN86FA170: Cessna A150K, N6DW, Silver City, NM, June 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1986, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Silver City, NM
- Coordinates: 32.77935, -108.260345 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7794&lon=-108.2603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16831
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16831/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA170

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT TOOK A PRIVATE PLT FOR A SIGHT SEEING RIDE. THE ACFT WAS OVER GROSS WEIGHT AND THE DENSITY ALT WAS CALCULATED TO BE 9,292 FEET. ON AN APPROACH TO LANDING THE STUDENT PLT ELECTED TO GO AROUND. THE SURVIVING PLT SAID THAT IN A STEEP BANK THE RIGHT WING SUDDENLY DROPPED AND THE ACFT ENTERED A STALL/SPIN. BECAUSE OF THE LOW ALTITUDE, RECOVERY WAS NOT POSSIBLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6DW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6DW-2013-04-26), registration cancelled 2013-04-26, S/N A15000094, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A150K
- Registry model: [Cessna A150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a150k) (registry code 2071824) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A1500094
- Airframe hours: 1503
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Herbert Watkins
- Registered owner: Herb Watkins Surveying
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 1986, 12 hours before
- Departed: 1E6, SILVER CITY, NM
- Airport: 1E6, Turner Ridgeport, runway 33, 4,000 × 25 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 125 total, 30 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 5V9, 10 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 19860621026779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860621026779A), Jun 21, 1986: Cessna A150K, Silver City, NM, Destroyed. The aircraft stalled during a go around in a high density altitude conditions. Aircraft estimated over max gross.

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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