Piper PA-28-151 N32401 accident near Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico

Probable cause

The student pilot's improper decision to conduct a flight in dark night conditions without a solo night flight endorsement and his subsequent loss of airplane control.

NTSB analysis

The fixed-base operator spoke to the student pilot about 1600 the day before the accident, left the airfield about 1700, and returned the following morning at 0700. When he arrived at the airport, he noticed that the accident airplane was gone. The airplane wreckage with the noninstrument-rated student pilot and passenger on board was found several days later in very sparsely populated area with large, unlit areas; a watch found at the accident site was stopped at 0122, which is likely when the accident occurred. The initial impact point was consistent with the airplane impacting terrain in a near-vertical attitude while the pilot was likely either maneuvering toward or attempting to approach the airport. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.

Meteorological and astrological conditions on the night of the accident included a clear sky with no moon illumination, which would have required the pilot to use celestial and cultural lights and the airfield's pilot-controlled lighting for orientation. However, it could not be determined if the pilot activated the runway lighting. The student did not have any endorsements for solo night flights, and his night flight experience could not be determined. The pilot's improper decision to conduct a flight in challenging dark night conditions likely led to his subsequent loss of airplane control and collision with terrain.

Although toxicological testing detected ethanol in the pilot's specimens, it was determined that the ethanol likely resulted from sources other than ingestion.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15FA325 for the full record.