Primary finding
Probable cause
Improper planning and decision making by the pilot in command in descending into a valley at an altitude providing no escape route in mountainous terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While maneuvering at 11,500 feet msl in mountainous terrain, the pilot descended below the ridge line into a valley. When he realized there was no escape route, he intentionally stalled the aircraft into trees.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 28, 1993, at approximately 1100 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N65655, collided with trees while maneuvering in mountainous terrain near Santa Fe, New Mexico, which is approximately seven miles northeast of the unincorporated town of Torrero, New Mexico, in the Pecos Wilderness Area, Santa Fe Postal District. The private pilot received minor injuries, his passenger received serious injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local area personal flight and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, he descended below the ridge line into a valley at 11,500 feet above mean sea level while maneuvering and "realized that a crash could not be avoided." He stated that he intentionally stalled the aircraft just prior to impact with trees. He said, that when the aircraft came to rest, he and his passenger exited through their respective doors unaided. He further stated that the aircraft was functioning in a normal fashion. -