# NTSB FTW92LA017: Cessna 172M, N61539, Springer, NM, November 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1991, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Springer, NM
- Coordinates: 36.359748, -104.59069 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3597&lon=-104.5907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18404
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18404/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA017

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN ATTEMPTING FLIGHT INTO FORCASTED ADVERSE WEATHER, HIS DISREGARD FOR THE HAZARDOUS WEATHER ADVISORY RECEIVED WHICH RESULTED IN PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS A RESULT OF A BLOCKED INDUCTION SYSTEM DUE TO ICE AND SNOW, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY ALIGN THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - snow
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - hazardous weather advisory - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - induction air control,air filter/screen - blocked(total) (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

A PRIVATE PILOT WAS ADVISED BY THE WEATHER BRIEFER THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT DUE TO LOW VISIBILITIES AND SNOW SHOWERS. THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT ELECTED TO DEPART ON HIS CROSS COUNTRY FIGHT AND ENCOUNTERED THE PREVIOUSLY FORECASTED WEATHER ENROUTE. THE HEAVY SHOW SHOWERS CAUSED A BLOCKAGE OF THE AIR INDUCTION FILTER SCREEN. THE PILOT MANAGED TO FOLLOW AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT LOW ALTITUDE UNTIL AN AIRPORT WAS FOUND. WHILE LANDING, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR IMPACTED A LARGE SNOW DRIFT, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO DRIFT OFF THE RUNWAY AND FLIP OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DUE TO HIS LOW ALTITUDE AND DIMINISHING POWER, HE WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY ALIGN THE AIRPLANE WITH THE RUNWAY BEFORE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61539](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61539), registered now, S/N 17264624, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264624
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roy E. Roadifer
- Registered owner: Roy E. Roadifer
- Departed: COS, COLORADO SPRING, CO
- Destination: ONM, SOCORRO, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Q42, Springer, runway 19, 5,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 623 total, 550 in this make and model, 572 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 9° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19911102048779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911102048779A), Nov 2, 1991: Cessna 172M, Springer, NM, Substantial damage. Flew into intense snowstorm following highway. Engine losing power due induction ice. Landed nearby unplowed runway

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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