History of Flight
On November 26, 2011, at 0912 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182R, N9408X, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Mescalero, New Mexico. The pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by JD & KAT, Ltd., Snyder, Texas, as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from Snyder, Texas, at an undetermined time, en route to Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Radio communications showed the pilot contacted Roswell approach at 0821, reporting 20 miles east of Roswell at 8,500 feet en route to Ruidoso. The controller issued a transponder code and identified the aircraft on radar. At 0834, the controller advised of light precipitation ahead. The pilot descended 1,000 feet to stay out of clouds. At 0841, the controller asked about high terrain near Ruidoso; the pilot did not answer but later said he was turning around due to poor visibility. At 0854, the pilot attempted again to proceed to Ruidoso and was told to maintain VFR. Radar services were terminated at 0905, and no further communications were received. The Ruidoso airport manager reported the pilot called on Unicom, stating he could not continue due to weather. The airplane was reported missing, and wreckage was found on November 30 on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation.
Personnel Information
The 49-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land rating, dated June 27, 2010, and was not instrument rated. He held a third-class medical certificate dated November 11, 2011, with no restrictions. His logbook showed total flight time of 209.7 hours, with 188.0 as pilot-in-command, 138.6 cross-country, and 4.3 instrument hours, all accrued in N9408X.
Aircraft Information
N9408X (serial number 18268514) was a 1985 Cessna 182R, four-seat, single-engine all-metal airplane with a gross weight of 3,100 pounds. It was powered by a Continental O-470-U(11) engine rated at 230 horsepower, driving a McCauley constant-speed propeller. The engine was remanufactured and installed on April 19, 2005. The last annual inspection was on December 15, 2010, at 1,861.0 hours total time.
Meteorological Information
The 0935 METAR at Sierra Blanca Regional Airport (KSRR), about 7 miles northwest of the accident site, reported wind 020° at 7 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, ceiling 3,000 feet broken, 3,700 feet broken, 4,300 feet overcast, temperature 1°C, dew point -7°C, altimeter 30.35 inHg.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site revealed a 1,650-foot debris path on a downward slope. The airplane was completely fragmented; both wings and empennage were identified. Both propeller blades were recovered, and the engine was at the far end. The airspeed indicator faceplate had a slap mark at 150 knots.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy attributed the pilot's death to multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology detected no ethanol or drugs; carbon monoxide and cyanide tests were not performed.
Additional Information
A hand-held GPS found at the site was examined by the NTSB, showing the airplane in a right spiral with the last recorded groundspeed of 207 knots. FAA Advisory Circular 60-4A on spatial disorientation discusses causes and recommendations for avoiding disorientation, including reliance on instrument indications and avoiding flight in deteriorating weather.