# NTSB FTW83LA098: Cessna 172N, N75707, Carlsbad, NM, January 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 26, 1983, 15:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, NM
- Coordinates: 32.400447, -104.229698 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4004&lon=-104.2297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA098

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED IN A SHORT, LEVEL AREA NEAR A DRILLING RIG SITE AT AN ELEVATION OF APRX 3300 FT. HE STATED THAT HE PREVIOUSLY STEPPED OFF THE 960 FT TAKEOFF AREA. HE STATED THAT HE LIFTED OFF AT ABOUT 58 KTS, BUT THE PLANE SEEMED TO HIT TURBULENCE AND THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND HIT A STEEP POST. REPORTEDLY, THE PLANE WAS CRASH LANDED IMMEDIATELY AFTER HITTING THE POST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75707](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75707-1983-06-27), registration cancelled 1983-06-27, S/N 17267889 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267889
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: S. Wayne Gregory
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1982

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 410 total, 390 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830126002179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830126002179A), Jan 26, 1983: Cessna 172N, Carlsbad, NM, Substantial damage. During off airport takeoff from short strip pilot allowed aircrafts right wing to collide with post after airborne.

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.