# NTSB DEN89LA187: Cessna 172M, N9183H, Ruidoso, NM, August 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1989, 15:58 local (21:58 UTC)
- Place: Ruidoso, NM
- Coordinates: 33.350463, -105.680198 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3505&lon=-105.6802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA187

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE MIXTURE CONTROL AND CARBURETOR HEAT DURING A TAKEOFF IN HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

N9183H HAD JUST TAKEN OFF FROM AN 8100 X 100 FT ASPHALT RWY WHERE THE ELEV IS 6811 FT MSL. THERE WAS A RIGHT QUARTERING HEADWIND AT 10 KTS AND THE TEMP WAS 81 DEG F. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED TO BE 9400 FT. THE PLT SAID HE LEANED THE MIXTURE AT 2000 RPM DURING THE RUNUP AND AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE RPM, AIRSPEED, AND ALTITUDE. THE PLT SAID HE FIRST ENRICHED THE MIXTURE AND THEN LEANED IT OUT AGAIN. HE THEN APPLIED CARB HEAT AS THE RPM HAD DECREASED TO 1900. WHEN THE RPM REACHED 1800, THE PLT DECIDED AN OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING WAS INEVITABLE. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO TREES 1/4 MILE SOUTH OF THE SOUTH END OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9183H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9183H-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 17265998, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265998
- Airframe hours: 4368
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kelley, Robert V.
- Registered owner: Kelley, Robert V
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 1989, 43 hours before
- Departed: SSB
- Destination: SJT, SAN ANGELO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 963 total, 548 in this make and model, 882 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRR

## 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 19890805027699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890805027699A), Aug 5, 1989: Cessna 172M, Ruidoso, NM, Destroyed. Unable to sustain flight after takeoff. Crashed in rough terrain.

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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