# NTSB DEN86LA117: Cessna 172H, N2896L, Crossroads, NM, April 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1986, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Crossroads, NM
- Coordinates: 33.510715, -103.329933 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5107&lon=-103.3299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16950
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16950/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA117

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO UNDERFLY POWERLINES OVER A PUBLIC ROAD DURING LANDING, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED AN UNSEEN WIRE AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2896L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2896L-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 17256096, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17256096
- Airframe hours: 4100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1985
- Departed: Q34, PORTLES, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,295 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 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 19860414045799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860414045799A), Apr 14, 1986: Cessna 172H, Crossroads, NM, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck wires during off airport landing on public road.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
