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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 16, 1991 · Cessna 152 · N49123

Timberon, NM

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 16, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Timberon, NM
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N49123
Operator
Leroy C Reynolds
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN91LA044

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.'

NTSB Probable Cause

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.

Full Narrative

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.'

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:07 MST
Nearest AirportTIMBERON (0nm N)
Runway31
Runway Length4900 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN49123
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLeroy C Reynolds
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 17 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data