History of Flight
On October 15, 2021, about 0959 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 175, registration N7584M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Reserve, New Mexico. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the two passengers sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
According to a summary of statements from the passengers provided by their attorney, the weather was cold and clear. The purpose of the flight was to scout areas for hunting. When the aircraft reached the planned hunting area, the passengers pointed out a location to the pilot, who turned toward it. They recalled a sharp turn to the northeast, after which the airplane began descending rapidly. The passengers believed the engine had lost power and that the pilot was struggling. The airplane then leveled off, no distress call was made, and the mountains appeared to be approaching. Visibility through the windshield was poor, the airplane was tilted upward, and it subsequently struck trees.
Data from a handheld GPS indicated the aircraft departed Grant County Airport near Silver City, New Mexico, at 0907. It flew north-northwest for 21 minutes, then west-northwest for 17 minutes. During the final 9 minutes, the airplane turned to a northerly heading and later to the southeast. In the last 2 minutes, it maintained a southeasterly heading while climbing from 6,732 ft mean sea level (msl) to 7,530 ft msl. The last recorded GPS point was about 95 ft south of the accident site at an altitude of 7,523 ft msl.
Meteorological Information
Astronomical data from NOAA indicated that at the time and location of the accident, the sun was at an azimuth of 126.2° true (117.2° magnetic) and an elevation of 29.29° above the horizon. The calculated density altitude at the accident site was 8,564 ft, and the pressure altitude was 7,151 ft.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination of the accident site revealed the airplane impacted mountainous terrain at an elevation of 7,521 ft msl. The first identifiable point of contact was the top of a pine tree located about 100 ft downhill from the main wreckage. Branches from damaged trees on the ground displayed signatures consistent with propeller strikes.
The airplane came to rest on its left side. The left wing was folded upward but remained attached by control cables. Both wings exhibited impact damage along their leading edges. The horizontal and vertical stabilizers remained attached to the empennage, and the elevator and rudder were intact at their attachment points. Flight control continuity was established for all surfaces.
The recovered engine was examined: when the crankshaft was rotated by hand using the propeller, rotational continuity was established throughout the engine and valvetrain, and thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders. The engine was subsequently started and operated at various power settings with no anomalies noted. The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft flange, and the blades remained attached to the hub. The blades displayed leading edge gouging, torsional twisting, chordwise striations across the cambered surface, and trailing edge "S" bending.
No evidence of preexisting mechanical malfunction was observed in the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
Toxicology testing performed at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory detected Losartan, Rosuvastatin, and Diphenhydramine in the pilot's blood and urine. Losartan and Rosuvastatin are prescription medications not known to adversely affect performance. Diphenhydramine is an over-the-counter antihistamine that can impair performance depending on circumstances of use. Carboxyhemoglobin, ethanol, glucose, and drugs of abuse were not detected.