History of Flight
On October 29, 2008, at approximately 1545 mountain daylight time, a single-engine Cessna 175, registration N175JG, was destroyed when it impacted terrain on Mt. Dora, New Mexico. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. The local flight originated from Clayton Municipal Airport (CAO) in Clayton, New Mexico, at approximately 1500. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Smoke and fire were reported by a local resident at approximately 1545, and the wreckage was subsequently discovered by responding personnel. There were no reported eyewitnesses to the accident.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. A third-class medical certificate was issued on March 5, 2007. At that time, the pilot reported logging 5,218 total flight hours, with 125 hours in the preceding six months. The pilot's logbook was not recovered. Family members reported that the pilot was a native of the area, owned land near the accident site, flew on average twice a week, and was knowledgeable about the local area.
Aircraft Information
The 1958 Cessna 175, serial number 55092, was powered by a 175-horsepower Teledyne Continental Motors GO-300-E engine (serial number 26113-2-E) driving a two-bladed metal McCauley propeller. The airplane was equipped with Horton fiberglass wingtips. The pilot had owned the airplane since July 2006. Maintenance logbooks were not recovered. Records from the last annual inspection on September 4, 2008, indicated a tachometer time of 2,955.2 hours, total engine time of 2,603.2 hours, and engine time since major overhaul of 846.1 hours. During that inspection, cylinders #2 and #4 were replaced. A friend who flew with the pilot on the two previous flights stated that the airplane operated normally and that the pilot never mentioned any abnormalities.
Meteorological Information
At 1455, an automated weather reporting station at CAO, located 16 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, reported winds variable at 6 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 75°F, dew point 25°F, and a barometric pressure of 30.21 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane was examined on-site by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration with technical assistance from Cessna Aircraft. The airplane struck the northwest side of Mt. Dora. Ground scars consistent with the left main landing gear and nose landing gear were found approximately halfway up the mountain along a 140-degree magnetic heading. During the impact sequence, the engine separated and impacted large rocks, embedding pieces of metal. Engine accessories and nose landing gear were found separated near the engine. The fuselage was located inverted approximately 92 feet uphill from the initial impact point. A post-crash fire consumed most of the cabin compartment. All major components were accounted for. Flight control continuity was established from the aileron, elevator, and rudder surfaces to the flight controls. The flap handle was found in the first detent, and flap cable continuity was confirmed.
Both propeller blades displayed S-bending, leading edge polishing, and chord-wise scratches, consistent with the engine producing power at impact. The tips of both blades were fractured; one piece was recovered near the initial impact point. The fiberglass spinner, separated from the propeller hub, showed rotational scoring.
The engine was recovered and examined; no pre-impact anomalies were detected.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed on October 30, 2008, by the Office of the Medical Investigator of New Mexico determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force and thermal injuries. Forensic toxicology on pilot specimens detected various substances, including acetaminophen, dihydrocodeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, lidocaine, norpropoxyphene, oxycodone, and salicylate in urine or blood. Pilot medical records indicated a history of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, back pain, and depression treated with multiple medications, including narcotics. The pilot's medical condition and prescription medications were not disclosed on the last application for a medical certificate.
Tests and Research
A Garmin GPS 95 XL recovered from the accident scene was sent to the laboratory for data download, but the device contained no data from the accident flight.