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NTSB Report
December 21, 1986 · Cessna 172E · N7821U
Crossroads, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 21, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Crossroads, NM
Aircraft
Cessna 172E
Tail Number
N7821U
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN87FA039
THE STUDENT PLT WITH NO SIMULATED OR ACTUAL INSTRUMENT AND A TOTAL OF 9 HOURS NIGHT FLT TIME CALLED THE AMARILLO FAA FSS, WHO BRIEFED HIM ON WX FOR A FLT FROM BORGER, TEXAS, TO BIG SPRING, TEXAS, LOCATED 210 NM SOUTH. HE WAS BRIEFED ON MARGINAL VFR WX EN ROUTE AND IMC WX WITH CEILING OF 800 FEET AT DESTINATION. HE ALSO WAS ADVISED OF A WX FRONTAL SYSTEM EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE AREA OVERNIGHT WITH WIDESPREAD IMC BY MORNING. HE DEPARTED ON THE NIGHT VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLT BUT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT THE DESTINATION. THE FLT WAS REPORTED MISSING 9 DAYS AFTER TAKEOFF. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 84 NM WEST OF COURSE IN FLAT, VERY REMOTE RANGE LAND. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A LEFT WING LOW, 30 DEGREES NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.
Full Narrative
THE STUDENT PLT WITH NO SIMULATED OR ACTUAL INSTRUMENT AND A TOTAL OF 9 HOURS NIGHT FLT TIME CALLED THE AMARILLO FAA FSS, WHO BRIEFED HIM ON WX FOR A FLT FROM BORGER, TEXAS, TO BIG SPRING, TEXAS, LOCATED 210 NM SOUTH. HE WAS BRIEFED ON MARGINAL VFR WX EN ROUTE AND IMC WX WITH CEILING OF 800 FEET AT DESTINATION. HE ALSO WAS ADVISED OF A WX FRONTAL SYSTEM EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE AREA OVERNIGHT WITH WIDESPREAD IMC BY MORNING. HE DEPARTED ON THE NIGHT VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLT BUT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT THE DESTINATION. THE FLT WAS REPORTED MISSING 9 DAYS AFTER TAKEOFF. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 84 NM WEST OF COURSE IN FLAT, VERY REMOTE RANGE LAND. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A LEFT WING LOW, 30 DEGREES NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:31 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172E
Tail NumberN7821U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind80° @ 8 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time04:48
Weather SourceWFAC