# NTSB DFW08LA217: Cessna 172A, N6539B, Albuquerque, NM, August 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 2008, 09:29 local (15:29 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.140556, -106.790275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1406&lon=-106.7903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68820 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08LA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68820/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA217 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain proper glide angle during the landing approach which resulted in a collision with a pole. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of qualification, experience and the high density altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: glide](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062027): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062027/cases.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062027/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Altitude deviation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282/sequence.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 104 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis A witness at the airport observed the airplane at a very low altitude on final approach. The right wing of the airplane collided with a pole on final approach resulting in a loss of control. The airplane came to rest about 100-feet short of the approach end of the runway. The FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site following the mishap, confirmed flight and engine control continuity was established at the accident site. No anomalies were found with the engine or airframe that could have prevented normal flight operations. The passenger, who occupied the right front seat of the airplane, was a rated pilot; however, he had not flown for over 8 years and was not current. He stated that he was not aware that the pilot was not a rated pilot. Despite several attempts, the non-certificated pilot, or the owner of the airplane, failed to return a completed NTSB Form 6120.1 to the requesting investigator-in-charge. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that the airplane was owned by his son and he had accumulated a total of 38 flight hours on the accident airplane. The field elevation was 5,837 feet MSL. The investigator in charge calculated the density altitude to be 7618 feet at the time of the landing. The winds at the airport were reported as calm at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 2008, at approximately 0926 mountain daylight time, a single-engine Cessna 172A, N6539B, was substantially damaged while attempting to land on Runway 22 at the Double Eagle II Airport, (KAEG), near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while his passenger was seriously injured. The personal cross country flight originated at Tucson, Arizona, earlier that morning. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the flight. No flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Air Regulations Part 91 flight. A witness at the airport that was conducting a run-up prior to takeoff reported that he observed the airplane in a shallow left turn, heading approximately to the southwest. He added that "the airplane was very, very low, and I would estimate less than 50 feet above the ground." He added that "I could not hear the engine of the aircraft, but the propeller appeared to be rotating normally and as the aircraft continued its turn southward to line up with [runway] 22, it dipped slightly below the visual horizon for just a split second. It then climbed up back into view and shortly thereafter the right wing of the airplane clipped a pole on the approach lights, at about 10 to 20 feet above the ground." The witness further stated that "a wing impacted the ground, causing the airplane to tumble several times and coming to rest about 100-feet short of the approach end of the runway." The witness alerted the airport of the mishap via the Unicom and proceeded to the accident site to provide assistance. An FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site following the mishap, reported that the 1961 model Cessna, serial number 172-47730, had accumulated a total of 4,574 hours since new. He also confirmed flight and engine control continuity was established at the accident site. Neither one of the fuel cells were compromised and fuel was found on both fuel cells. No anomalies were found with the engine or airframe that could have prevented normal flight operations. The passenger, who occupied the right front seat of the airplane, was a rated pilot; however, he had not flown for over 8 years and was not current. He stated that he was not aware that the pilot was not a rated pilot. He further stated that he was not involved in the planning or conduct of the flight. The passenger did not have any recollection of the accident sequence. Despite several attempts, the non-certificated pilot, or the owner of the airplane, failed to return a completed NTSB Form 6120.1 to the requesting investigator-in-charge. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that the airplane was owned by his son and he had accumulated a total of 38 flight hours on the accident airplane. At the time of the accident, the weather at the airport was reported as calm winds, visibility 10 statue miles, temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, dew point at 10 degree Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.12 inches of Mercury. The airfield elevationwas 5,837 feet. The investigator in charge calculated the desnity altitude to be 7618 feet at the time of the landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6539B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6539B-2009-02-05), registration cancelled 2009-02-05, S/N 47730, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A - Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 47730 - Airframe hours: 4574 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Martin M. Nedza - Registered owner: Nedza Martin M - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Tuscon, AZ - Destination: KAEG, Albuquerque, NM - Airport: KAEG, Double Eagle II Airport, runway 22, 7,400 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; medical: unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 38 total, 38 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KAEG ## 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 20080828847999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080828847999A), Aug 28, 2008: Cessna 172A, Albuquerque, NM, Destroyed. (-23) On August 28, 2008, at approximately 0926, the non-certificated co-owner/pilot of N6539B, a Cessna model 172A airplane, attempted to land at doubler… 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.