# NTSB DEN93LA105: Cessna 172P, N65655, Santa Fe, NM, August 28, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1993, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Santa Fe, NM
- Location: 35.6870° N, 105.9378° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Santa Fe, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6870&lon=-105.9378&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11104
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11104/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA105

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND IN  DESCENDING INTO A VALLEY AT AN ALTITUDE PROVIDING NO ESCAPE ROUTE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING AT 11,500 FEET MSL IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE  PILOT DESCENDED BELOW THE RIDGE LINE INTO A VALLEY. WHEN HE  REALIZED THERE WAS NO ESCAPE ROUTE, HE INTENTIONALLY STALLED THE  AIRCRAFT INTO TREES.

## Factual narrative

On August 28, 1993, at approximately 1100 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N65655, collided with trees while maneuvering in mountainous terrain near Santa Fe, New Mexico, which is  approximately seven miles northeast of the unincorporated town of Torrero, New Mexico, in the Pecos Wilderness Area, Santa Fe Postal District.  The private pilot received minor injuries, his passenger received serious injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local area personal flight and no flight plan was filed.

According to the pilot, he descended below the ridge line into a valley at 11,500 feet above mean sea level while maneuvering and "realized that a crash could not be avoided."  He stated that he intentionally stalled the aircraft just prior to impact with trees.  He said, that when the aircraft came to rest, he and his passenger exited through their respective doors unaided.  He further stated that the aircraft was functioning in a normal fashion.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65655](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65655-1997-01-09), registration cancelled 1997-01-09, S/N 17275801 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275801
- Airframe hours: 5970
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D25 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leroy C. Reynolds
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1993, 36 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 281 total, 37 in this make and model, 155 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930828035059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930828035059A), Aug 28, 1993: Cessna 172P, Santa Fe, NM, Substantial damage. Descended into a narrow valley on sightseeing. Unable to climb out. Stalled into trees.

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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