Event FTW02LA053

Factual narrative

On December 12, 2001, approximately 2330 mountain standard time, a Ryan Navion A single-engine airplane, N4530K, was substantially damaged after it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Sierra Blanca, Texas. The non-instrument rated private pilot, who owned and operated the airplane, and his passenger sustained serious injuries. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed Midland, Texas, approximately 1930, and was destined for El Paso, Texas. Prior to departure from Midland, while sitting in the aircraft, the pilot obtained a weather briefing from the San Angelo Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS). According to a tape recording of the weather briefing, the pilot stated that after a full stop landing to El Paso, the flight would continue to Phoenix, Arizona. The briefer stated there was an AIRMET for rime icing near the New Mexico border in the area near El Paso, to which the pilot responded, "I will be VFR, I will not be in the clouds." The El Paso extended forecast, valid to 0500, reported visibility 6 plus statute miles, occasional 3 statute miles visibility, light snow showers, with few clouds at 3,000 feet, ceilings 5,000 feet broken and 12,000 feet overcast. The pilot stated his intended cruising altitude would be 6,000 feet msl with a possibility of climbing to 9,000 or 10,000 feet. During a telephone interview, conducted by an NTSB investigator, the pilot stated that while "en route under visual flight rules to El Paso, he encountered clouds." During a maneuver to fly out of the clouds, the airplane impacted the terrain. The pilot then attempted to contact rescue personnel via a cellular phone. A U.S. Border Patrol helicopter, based at El Paso, attempted to respond to the accident location, however, a snowstorm had suspended their efforts. The pilot and his passenger were located by U.S. Border Patrol personnel approximately 0520 on December 13. The elevation at the accident site was estimated at 5,000 feet msl. At 2251, the weather observation facility in El Paso, located approximately 45 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, reported the wind from 310 degrees at 11 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 4,000 feet, overcast ceiling at 7,500 feet, temperature 39 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 25 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.04 inches of mercury. At 0051, the weather observation facility in El Paso reported the wind from 150 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 5 statute miles, decreasing snow, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, broken ceiling at 3,300 feet, overcast ceiling at 6,000 feet, temperature 36 degress Fahrenheit, dewpoint 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.07 inches of mercury. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot and a passenger statement were unsuccessful. According to the pilot, while en route under night visual flight rules the flight encountered clouds. During a maneuver to fly out of the clouds, the airplane impacted the terrain at an estimated elevation of 5,000 feet msl. A helicopter attempted to respond to the accident location, however, a snowstorm suspended their efforts. While sitting in the aircraft prior to departure, the pilot had obtained a weather briefing for a VFR flight. The pilot stated his intended cruising altitude would be 6,000 feet with a possibility of climbing to 9,000 or 10,000 feet. The briefer stated there was an AIRMET for rime icing along the route of flight, to which the pilot responded, "I will be VFR, I will not be in the clouds." The destination extended forecast reported visibility 6 plus statute miles, occasional 3 statute miles visibility, light snow showers, few clouds at 3,000 feet, ceilings at 5,000 broken and 12,000 overcast. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12