# NTSB DEN87LA180: Cessna 172K, N84704, Tierra Amrilla, NM, July 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1987, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Tierra Amrilla, NM
- Coordinates: 36.700134, -106.540626 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7001&lon=-106.5406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17267
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17267/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA180

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

NO WITNESSES WERE FOUND WHO HAD SEEN THE ACCIDENT. THE MAN BELIEVED TO BE THE PLT GAVE THE INVESTIGATING POLICE OFFICER AN ASSUMED NAME. THE WRECKAGE DISSAPPEARED SOON AFTER THE CRASH AND HAS NOT BEEN FOUND TO DATE. THE ACFT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF WITH FOUR ADULTS AND CONSIDERABLE BAGGAGE ABOARD. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS APPROX 9500 FEET. THE ACFT CAME TO REST NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE ACTIVE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84704](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84704-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 17258586, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258586
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Rene M. Vernon
- Registered owner: Rene M Vernon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 98V, El Vado State Park, runway 9, 5,000 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; student; medical: class 3, expired

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19870713034499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870713034499A), Jul 13, 1987: Cessna 172K, Tierra Amarilla, NM, Substantial damage. Crashed on takeoff. Pilot gave alias to park ranger. Found to be a student with expired permit. All left the scene.

## Other investigations on N84704 (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 SEA72DYA14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72DYA14), Oct 9, 1971: Cessna 172K (N84704), Mtn Home, ID, 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.

---
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.