On July 17, 1988, a Cessna 177RG (registration N34338) was involved in an aviation accident near Santa Teresa, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the accident cannot be determined due to the absence of witnesses and the unauthorized removal of the aircraft from its original location. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A **Cessna 177RG** was stolen from a small airport near the Mexican border and crashed in a field two miles southwest of Santa Teresa Airport. The pilot's identity remains unknown.
What happened
A Cessna 177RG aircraft, identified by registration N98SW, was taken without authorization from a small airport located near the Mexican border. Law enforcement officials discovered the aircraft crashed in an open field situated approximately two miles southwest of Santa Teresa Airport. The owner of the aircraft was subsequently notified by state police.
No witnesses have been identified who can provide details regarding the circumstances of the accident or the identity of the pilot involved. Consequently, the specific nature of the flight and the events leading to the crash remain unclear based on available evidence.
Findings
The investigation revealed that the aircraft was removed from its parking location without permission. The lack of witness testimony prevents a detailed reconstruction of the flight path or the pilot's actions prior to impact. The injury index for the occupants is presumed, though specific medical outcomes are not documented in the available records.
Probable cause
The cause of the accident cannot be determined due to the absence of witnesses and the unauthorized removal of the aircraft from its original location.