Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary DEN91LA044

TIMBERON, NM, USA

Aircraft #1

N49123

CESSNA 152

Analysis

THE 70 HOUR PILOT TOOK OFF FROM THE 4900 FOOT RUNWAY UPHILL AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES ON RISING TERRAIN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR CLIMB AT A SUFFICIENT RATE TO MISS THE TREES. AFTER TREE IMPACT, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL TO TERRAIN IMPACT. LOCAL PILOTS REPORTED THAT TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH WAS NOT RECOMMENDED BECAUSE OF TREES JUST NORTH OF THE AIRPORT AND THE RISING TERRAIN. THE NEW MEXICO AERONAUTICAL CHART STATED 'POSSIBLE UNREPORTED HAZARDS. USER ASSUMES ALL RISKS.'

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY. RELATED FACTORS WERE: THE RISING TERRAIN, TREES, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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