Cessna 172A N6539B

Summary

On 28 August 2008 at about 15:29 local time, a Cessna 172A registered N6539B, operated by Martin M. Nedza, was involved in an accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 August 2008 at 15:29

Classification

Accident

Location

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Double Eagle II Airport (KAEG)

Coordinates

35.1406, -106.7903

Aircraft

Cessna 172A

Registration

N6539B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Martin M. Nedza

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tuscon → Albuquerque

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW08LA217

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain proper glide angle during the landing approach which resulted in a collision with a pole. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of qualification, experience and the high density altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A witness at the airport observed the airplane at a very low altitude on final approach. The right wing of the airplane collided with a pole on final approach resulting in a loss of control. The airplane came to rest about 100-feet short of the approach end of the runway. The FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site following the mishap, confirmed flight and engine control continuity was established at the accident site. No anomalies were found with the engine or airframe that could have prevented normal flight operations. The passenger, who occupied the right front seat of the airplane, was a rated pilot; however, he had not flown for over 8 years and was not current. He stated that he was not aware that the pilot was not a rated pilot. Despite several attempts, the non-certificated pilot, or the owner of the airplane, failed to return a completed NTSB Form 6120.1 to the requesting investigator-in-charge. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that the airplane was owned by his son and he had accumulated a total of 38 flight hours on the accident airplane. The field elevation was 5,837 feet MSL. The investigator in charge calculated the density altitude to be 7618 feet at the time of the landing. The winds at the airport were reported as calm at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.