# NTSB FTW83LA336: Cessna 172, N8198B, Rutheron, NM, July 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1983, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Rutheron, NM
- Location: 36.7186° N, 106.6117° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rutheron, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7186&lon=-106.6117&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20976
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA336
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20976/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA336

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - contamination (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND INADVERTANTLY AFTER DROPPING EMERGENCY DRILLING EQUIPMENT AT A DRILLING SITE. THE PLT WAS MAKING ANOTHER PASS TO CHECK ON THE DROP WHEN THE ACFT STARTED TO DESCEND. IN SPITE OF POWER APPLICATION THE ACFT DESCENDED INTO AN AREA OF TREES AND POLES. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AFTER IMPACT AND WAS SECURED BY THE PLT. THE SITE ALTITUDE WAS 7500 FT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED BLACK AND GRAY SOOT ON THE SPARK PLUGS WHICH IS 'INDICATIVE OF A RICH MIXTURE.' THE PLT HAD APPROACHED AT 70 KTS IAS WITH 10-20 DEGREES OF FLAPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8198B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29998
- Airframe hours: 3195
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary T. Nepon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1982, 77 hours before
- Departed: 98V, EL VADO, NM
- Destination: NM31, EDGEWOOD, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 718 total, 489 in this make and model, 591 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19830717033159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830717033159A), Jul 17, 1983: Cessna 172, Rutheron, NM, Substantial damage. Aircraft would not climb after low pass dropping equipment at drilling site. Density altitude was a factor.

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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