December 13, 2005, Pinion, N.M. / Cessna 172S

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain at 1931 Mountain time. Night visual conditions prevailed; the Private pilot was fatally injured. According to Albuquerque (ABQ) Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), the pilot was receiving radar flight following for the cross-country flight. The pilot reported in with ABQ ARTCC at 1918 at an altitude of 11,500 feet msl. No further communications were made and radar contact was lost. The airplane impacted in a 45-degree nose-down attitude and debris was scattered in a 400-foot radius around the main wreckage....

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An airplane was destroyed upon impacting terrain at 1931 Mountain time under night visual conditions, resulting in the fatal injury of the private pilot.
  • The pilot was receiving radar flight following but lost communication and radar contact with ABQ ARTCC shortly after reporting an altitude of 11,500 feet msl.
  • The aircraft impacted in a 45-degree nose-down attitude, with debris scattered in a 400-foot radius around the main wreckage.
See a mistake? Contact us.

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain at 1931 Mountain time. Night visual conditions prevailed; the Private pilot was fatally injured. According to Albuquerque (ABQ) Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), the pilot was receiving radar flight following for the cross-country flight. The pilot reported in with ABQ ARTCC at 1918 at an altitude of 11,500 feet msl. No further communications were made and radar contact was lost. The airplane impacted in a 45-degree nose-down attitude and debris was scattered in a 400-foot radius around the main wreckage.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE