# NTSB DEN99LA067: Cessna 172I, N46204, Las Cruces, NM, April 28, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 28, 1999, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Las Cruces, NM - Coordinates: 32.259799, -106.819808 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2598&lon=-106.8198&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46172 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46172/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA067 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The pilot of N46204's failure to maintain visual lookout and to identify the other aircraft visually during landing. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot of N46204's failure to maintain visual lookout and to identify the other aircraft visually during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, landing - visual lookout - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - identification of aircraft visually - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - Midair collision, landing - visual lookout - not obtained/maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - identification of aircraft visually - not attained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) SEE NARRATIVE FOR DEN99LA067A ## Analysis (aircraft 1) N46204 experienced an electrical failure shortly after takeoff, and the pilot returned for landing. Just prior to touching down on the runway, N46204 landed on top of N738UF. The pilot of N738UF was performing touch and go landings with his student, and had just touched down when N46204 landed on top of the right wing section. Witnesses reported that the pilot of N46204 requested assistance starting the airplane on the morning of the accident due to a low battery, and the aircraft was hand-propped. According to FAR Part 91.113 (b), 'When weather conditions permit... vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft.' In addition, according to FAR 91.113 (g), 'When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft.' ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) SEE NARRATIVE FOR DEN99LA067A ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On April 28, 1999, approximately 0745 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172I, N46204, and a Cessna 172N, N738UF, were substantially damaged when they collided during landing at Las Cruces International Airport, Las Cruces, New Mexico. The private pilot aboard N46204 and the airline transport rated flight instructor and his student on board N738UF were not injured. Both flights were being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight of N46204 had originated approximately 5 minutes before the accident, and was en route to Portales, New Mexico. The flight of N738UF was for instruction and had originated 30 minutes before the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plans had been filed by either pilot. According to the pilot of N46204, the aircraft experienced an electrical failure shortly after takeoff from runway 26. After losing the electrical system, the pilot turned the airplane 180 degrees, and entered the downwind to return for landing. Just prior to touching down on the runway, N46204 landed on top of N738UF. The pilot of N738UF was performing touch and go landings with his student, and had just touched down on the runway when N46204 landed on top of the aircraft's right wing section. The pilot of N738UF recalled the airplane accelerating down the runway and then it became uncontrollable as it veered to the left of the runway. The propeller of N46204 caused substantial to the right aileron and right horizontal stabilizer of N738UF. N46204 sustained damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and left aileron. Several witnesses reported that the pilot of N46204 requested assistance starting the airplane on the morning of the accident due to a low battery, and the aircraft needed to be hand-propped in order to start. According to Title 14 CFR Part 91.113 (b) (Right-of-way rules: Except water operations) of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), "When weather conditions permit, regardless of whether an operation is conducted under instrument flight rules or visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft." In addition, according to 91.113 (g), "When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft." ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N46204](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46204), registered now, S/N 17257106 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172I - Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17257106 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: West Mesa Flying Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1998 - Departed: LRU - Destination: Q34, PORTALES, NM - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: LRU, Las Cruces International, runway 26, 6,073 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N738UF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738UF-2018-08-20), registration cancelled 2018-08-20, S/N 17270242, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270242 - Airframe hours: 5481 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Adventure Aviation - Registered owner: Vernon C. Wilson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 2, 1999, 52 hours before - Departed: LRU - Airport: LRU, Las Cruces International, runway 26, 6,073 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N46204; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 601 total, 319 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N738UF; age 49; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,826 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 3,755 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DMN, 40 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990428019991A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990428019991A), Apr 28, 1999: Cessna 172I, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. On April 28, 1999, approximately 0755 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172I, N46204, and a Cessna 172N, N738UF, were substantially damaged when they collided… - [Accident 19990428019992A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990428019992A), Apr 28, 1999: Cessna 172N, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. N46204 experienced an electrical failure shortly after takeoff, and the pilot returned for landing. Just prior to touching down on the runway, N46204 landed on… ## Other investigations on N46204 (1) 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. - [NTSB GAA16CA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA333), Jun 25, 2016: Cessna 172 (N46204), Anthony, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a cable while maneuvering at a low altitude over water, which resulted in a collision with a cable and impact with water. 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.