# NTSB DEN88LA209: Cessna 172, N8517B, Questa, NM, September 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1988, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Questa, NM
- Coordinates: 36.709121, -105.590034 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7091&lon=-105.5900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17544
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17544/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA209

## 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)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT AND 1 PAX WERE TAKING OFF USING 2,500 FT OF A 4,000 X 50 FT DIRT STRIP WITH A D/A OF 9,200 FT. DURING INTIAL CLIMB THE PLT NOTICED A SINK RATE. THE PLT SAID HE VARIED THE ANGLE OF FLAPS FROM 5 TO 25 DEG 'IN SEARCH OF LIFT.' THE RIGHT WING AND RIGHT MAIN GEAR STRUCK A RIDGE 350 FT FROM THE POINT OF LIFTOFF. THE ACFT PIVOTED RIGHT AND CAME TO REST 35 FT FROM THE POINT OF IMPACT. THE FUSELAGE WAS BENT AND BOTH WINGS WERE FLEXED UPWARD. NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE FOUND A QUANTITY (LESS THAN AN OUNCE) OF MARIJUANA IN THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT REFUSED TO SUBMIT TO A DRUG TEST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8517B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8517B-1997-12-20), registration cancelled 1997-12-20, S/N 36217 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36217
- Airframe hours: 7030
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Abbott, Charles B.
- Registered owner: Abbott, Charles B
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1989, 200 hours before
- Departed: SKI, TAOS, NM
- Destination: E91, EAGLE NEST, NM
- Airport: NONE, Questa

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 191 total, 191 in this make and model, 139 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19880929046349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880929046349A), Sep 29, 1988: Cessna 172, Questa, NM, Substantial damage. Unable to outclimb rising terrain on takeoff. Struck a ridge and ground looped. Marijuana found in aircraft.

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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