Cessna 172H N2721L

Summary

On 22 October 1994 at about 21:25 local time, a Cessna 172H registered N2721L, operated by MacWherter, George W., was involved in an accident near Tres Piedras, New Mexico, United States. 4 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 October 1994 at 21:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Tres Piedras, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

36.6390, -105.9591

Aircraft

Cessna 172H

Registration

N2721L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

MacWherter, George W.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Raton → Durango

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW95LA025

2 people had minor injuries.

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH LED TO MANEUVERING AT SLOW AIRSPEED TO AVOID TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN FURTHER LOSS OF AIRSPEED AND AN AERODYNAMIC STALL.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT WAS REQUIRED TO CLEAR 10,000 FOOT MOUNTAINS. AS THE PILOT BEGAN HIS CLIMB HE REALIZED THE AIRCRAFT COULD NOT CLEAR THE RIDGE LINE SO HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE AIRCRAFT 180 DEGREES. DURING THE TURN TO THE LEFT HE NOTICED THE AIRSPEED HAD DROPPED FROM 80 - 90 KNOTS TO 60 KNOTS, AND THE GPS WAS INDICATING A 'SLOW GROUND SPEED.' HE ALSO RECALLED HEARING THE STALL WARNING HORN AND THE AIRCRAFT'S NOSE DIPPING. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK SEVERAL TREES AND DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL TO GROUND IMPACT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.