# NTSB DEN87FA226: Cessna 172RG, N5247V, Cubero, NM, August 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1987, 21:58 local (Aug 24, 1987, 03:58 UTC)
- Place: Cubero, NM
- Coordinates: 35.079254, -107.510894 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0793&lon=-107.5109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17128
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17128/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA226

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RCVD A WX BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE BRIEFER. N5247V DEPARTED AT 2005 HRS AND AT 2200 HRS THE PLT RADIOED ABQ ARTCC THAT HE WAS DESCENDING FROM 9000 FT TO 7500 FT TO AVOID WX. ARTCC RADAR TRACK WAS LOST SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE TERRAIN ELEVATION IN THE AREA RANGES FROM 7500 FT TO OVER 8700 FT. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN AT THE 7800 FT LEVEL. THE PVT PLT DID NOT HOLD AN INSTR RATING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5247V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RGO483
- Airframe hours: 2135
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kirtland Afb Flying Club
- Registered owner: S & L Leasing Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 16, 1987, 64 hours before
- Departed: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ
- Destination: ABO, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 181 total, 79 in this make and model, 104 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark

## 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 19870823047529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870823047529A), Aug 23, 1987: Cessna 172RG, Cubero, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees in mountainous terrain at night in area of thunderstorms. VFR pilot was advised VFR not recommended.

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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