# NTSB DEN92FA088: Cessna 175A, N7032E, Pagosa Springs, CO, August 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1992, 21:58 local (Aug 29, 1992, 03:58 UTC)
- Place: Pagosa Springs, CO
- Coordinates: 37.240051, -107.030548 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2401&lon=-107.0305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18160/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92FA088

## Probable cause

THE PILOT EXPERIENCING SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  FACTORS WERE:  THE PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE AND DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS.

## 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
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT DEPARTED RUNWAY 01 ON A DARK CLEAR NIGHT WITH NO MOON.  A WITNESS SAID THE AIRPLANE MADE AN IMMEDIATE SHARP LEFT BANK, THEN AN IMMEDIATE RIGHT BANK, FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER LEFT BANK AND AN IMMEDIATE RIGHT BANK.  HE THEN LOST SIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE RUNWAY CLEAR ZONE APPROXIMATELY 0.5 MILES BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.  NO AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT DISCREPANCIES WERE DISCOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7032E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7032E-1993-01-28), registration cancelled 1993-01-28, S/N 56532 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175A
- Registry model: [Cessna 175A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175a) (registry code 2072504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 56532
- Airframe hours: 4993
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Skylarkers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Skylarkers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 1992, 11 hours before
- Departed: 2V1
- Destination: FMN, FARMINGTON, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 2V1, Stevens Field, runway 1, 6,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 311 total, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMN, 75 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 19920828034049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920828034049A), Aug 28, 1992: Cessna 175A, Pagosa Springs, CO, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Lost ground reference on night takeoff. Apparently suffered spatial disorientation leading to loss of control.

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.