# NTSB FTW83LA420: Cessna 172N, N2380E, Los Alamos, NM, September 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1983, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Los Alamos, NM
- Coordinates: 35.100917, -106.680946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1009&lon=-106.6809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA420
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21045/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA420

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB ABOVE LOCAL MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN & ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A 180 DEG TURN. THE ACFT STALLED & CRASHED ON REDONDO PEAK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2380E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172712258
- Airframe hours: 1803
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Karl To. Fieldman Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1983, 93 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 88 total, 12 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19830905045919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830905045919A), Sep 5, 1983: Cessna 172N, Los Alamos, NM, Substantial damage. Unable to outclimb rising terrain after takeoff. Turned away too late and stalled into the mountainside.

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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