Cessna 320 accident near Lake Heron, NM
On April 24, 2011, a Cessna 320 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Lake Heron, NM. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 24, 2011
- Place
- Lake Heron, NM
- Aircraft
- Cessna 320 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 36.689°N, 106.670°W
- NTSB ID
- 20110428X92611
Official records · CEN11LA307
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On April 24, 2011, about 1030 mountain daylight time a Cessna 320F airplane, N320AZ, impacted Heron Lake, near Los Ojos, New Mexico, after departing from cruise flight. The pilot, sole occupant, received fatal injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged in the collision and the wreckage submerged in deep water. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operating on a flight plan. The flight originated from Prescott, Arizona, about 0730 mountain daylight time. A witness who was on the water at the time, reported that he heard the engine sound of an airplane flying low overhead. He stated that the engine noise suddenly went silent and he saw a large splash of water. At the time of the accident, weather reported in the area was stormy with rain and thunderstorms. The airplane wreckage was not recovered from the water; an examination of the engines and airframe was not possible. However, pieces that were recovered indicated the airplane fragmented on impact. The airplane’s maintenance records were not available for this investigation. The severity of the water accident meant that the pilot’s identity was determined by DNA and a toxicology test was not performed. A review of records on file with the Federal Aviation Administration revealed the pilot held a private pilot certificate, with single and multi-engine land, airplane ratings. The pilot did not possess an instrument rating. Additio
Probable cause
The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while conducting a flight at low altitude in instrument meteorological conditions.
More accidents in NM
- Gates Learjet 25D, Sep 5, 1993
- Piper PA-32-300, Dec 26, 1982
- Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, Jun 25, 1992
- Cessna 421C, Feb 11, 1985
- Beech 58, Mar 26, 1982
Browse: New Mexico · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
