# NTSB FTW95LA214: Cessna 172H, N2840L, San Ignacio, NM, May 22, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1995, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: San Ignacio, NM
- Coordinates: 35.770023, -105.249656 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7700&lon=-105.2497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA214

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FLYING AT AN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO CLEAR SURROUNDING TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE: HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A LOCAL PERSONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS FLYING THE AIRCRAFT UP A CANYON AND COULD NOT OUT-CLIMB RISING TERRAIN OR REVERSE COURSE.  THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED TREES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB.  THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS 8,500 FEET MSL AND THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME WAS 11,500 FEET MSL.

## Factual narrative

On May 22, 1995, at 0830 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N2840L, impacted mountainous terrain near San Ignacio, New Mexico.  The pilot and passenger received serious injuries and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for this local area personal flight which departed Las Vegas, New Mexico, at 0745.

According to the FAA inspector who conducted the on scene portion of the investigation, the flight was proceeding up a canyon with the occupants looking at real estate.  The FAA inspector said that the pilot reported that the aircraft could not out-climb the terrain or reverse course.  The pilot said the aircraft entered trees while attempting to turn and climb.

The accident site elevation was 8,500 feet above mean sea level (msl) and the density altitude at the time was 11,500 feet msl.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2840L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2840L-1998-10-26), registration cancelled 1998-10-26, S/N 17256040 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17256040
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Louis Mcginnis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LVS, LAS VEGAS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,700 total, 300 in this make and model, 8,598 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVS, 15 nm away

## 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 19950522012319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950522012319A), May 22, 1995: Cessna 172H, San Ignacio, NM, Substantial damage. Entered blind canyon at low altitude during real estate survey. Unable to outclimb terrain or turn. Struck trees.

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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