# NTSB DEN91FA051: Beech 58, N2019V, Whites City, NM, March 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1991, 10:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Whites City, NM
- Coordinates: 32.18061, -104.379264 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1806&lon=-104.3793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91FA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA051

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT DECISION TO FLY AT LOW ALTITUDE. FACTORS WERE: TURBULENCE AND DOWNDRAFTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A 7500 FOOT MOUNTAIN AT THE 6600 FOOT LEVEL IN VFR CONDITIONS.  THE PILOT FILED A DVFR FLIGHT PLAN AND INDICATED A CRUISING ALTITUDE OF 6500 TO 7000 FEET.  ALTOCUMULUS STANDING LENTICULAR CLOUDS WERE OBSERVED IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  ALTHOUGH THE PILOT HAD FLOWN THIS ROUTE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, HE WAS KNOWN TO FLY AT LOW ALTITUDES.  ACCORDING TO LOCAL OFFICIALS, THERE WERE STRONG WESTERLY WINDS AND ASSOCIATED TURBULENCE OVER THE GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2019V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2019V-1991-06-29), registration cancelled 1991-06-29, S/N TH956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58
- Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TH-956
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C(7) 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Stipp, Robert J.
- Registered owner: Stipp, Robert J.
- Departed: HOB, HOBBS, NM
- Destination: MHMO, HERMOSILLO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,878 total, 1,772 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 27 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910305005319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910305005319A), Mar 5, 1991: Beech 58, Whites City, NM, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Impacted near top of mountain,nose high,wings level. Lenticular clouds present.

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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