# NTSB FTW98LA413: Cessna 177A, N29572, Belen, NM, September 27, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 27, 1998, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Belen, NM - Coordinates: 34.650779, -106.769004 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6508&lon=-106.7690&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44049 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA413 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44049/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA413 ## Probable cause The pilot inadvertently stalling the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - flare - performed, pilot in command - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy ## Analysis The pilot had obtained a weather briefing and had received VFR flight following services from Albuquerque ARTCC. Radar services were terminated when the airplane was 22 miles south of Belen. The pilot proceeded under visual meteorological rules to Belen and made a straight-in approach to runway 03 (6,600 ft. x 60 ft., asphalt). The pilot said she noticed there was another airplane in the pattern that was turning base leg. She was unsure of the pilot's intentions because he was not using his radio. The pilot made the decision to land behind this traffic. She flared for landing and inadvertently stalled the airplane. The airplane collided with terrain short of the runway. The nose wheel landing gear was destroyed on impact. The firewall was also damaged. ## Factual narrative On September 27, 1998, approximately 1100 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 177A, N29572, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing approach at Belen, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Las Cruces, New Mexico, at 0930. According to the pilot's accident report, she had obtained a weather briefing and had received VFR flight following services from Albuquerque ARTCC. Radar services were terminated when the airplane was 22 miles south of Belen. The pilot proceeded under visual meteorological rules to Belen and made a straight-in approach to runway 03 (6,600 ft. x 60 ft., asphalt). The pilot said she noticed there was another airplane in the pattern that was turning base leg. She was unsure of the pilot's intentions because he was not using his radio. The pilot of N29572 made the decision to land behind this traffic. She flared for landing and inadvertently stalled the airplane. The airplane collided with terrain short of the runway. The nose wheel landing gear was destroyed on impact. The firewall was also damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29572](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29572-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 17700969, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177A - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17700969 - Airframe hours: 2200 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeri Sue Heath - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1997 - Departed: LRU, LAS CRUCES, NM - Destination: E80, BELEN, NM - Airport: E80, Belen Municipal, runway 3, 6,600 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 95 total, 37 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABQ ## 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 19980927026679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980927026679A), Sep 27, 1998: Cessna 177, Belen, NM, Substantial damage. (.4)On September 27, 1998, approximately 1100 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 177A, N29572, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged… ## Other investigations on N29572 (2) 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. - [NTSB DEN01LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA037), Dec 31, 2000: Cessna 177 (N29572), Las Cruces, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: An inadvertent stall. Factors were excessive airspeed, excessive flare, and improper recovery from a bounced landing. - [NTSB ANC69A0060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69A0060), May 29, 1969: Cessna 177 (N29572), Goodnews Bay, AK, substantial damage 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.