# NTSB DEN92FA078: Cessna 337A, N337LS, Ruidoso, NM, August 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1992, 21:18 local (Aug 1, 1992, 03:18 UTC)
- Place: Ruidoso, NM
- Coordinates: 33.34991, -105.680549 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3499&lon=-105.6805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18156
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92FA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18156/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92FA078

## Probable cause

THE PILOT EXPERIENCING SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND THE RESULTANT EXCESSIVE DESCENT RATE.  FACTORS WERE:  THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CLEARED BY ARTCC FOR A VISUAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 24.  HE ADVISED UNICOM HE WAS TOO HIGH AND WOULD CIRCLE TO LAND.  AN AIRPORT ATTENDANT SAW THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING LIGHTS AND WATCHED IT BEGIN A LEFT TURN WHEN IT WAS OVER AND HALFWAY DOWN THE RUNWAY.  THE DESCENT RATE INCREASED TO A 'HARD DIVE ABOUT 35 TO 45 DEGREES' BEFORE DISAPPEARING INTO A RAVINE ONE MILE SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT.  VISUAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED BUT IT WAS A DARK NIGHT WITH NO MOON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N337LS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N337LS-1993-01-05), registration cancelled 1993-01-05, S/N 3370421 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337A
- Registry model: [Cessna 337A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337a) (registry code 2075704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 337-0421
- Airframe hours: 1852
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-C/D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lovelace, John C. & B.J.
- Registered owner: Lovelace, John C. & B.J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1992
- Departed: LBB, LUBBOCK, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SRR, Sierra Blanca Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 459 total, 33 in this make and model, 408 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRR, 1 nm away

## 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 19920731028589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920731028589A), Jul 31, 1992: Cessna 337A, Ruidoso, NM, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crashed into hilly terrain circling. For night landing.

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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