Piper PA28R N6899C accident near Hobbs, New Mexico

Probable cause

The pilot's incorrect altimeter setting during the night visual approach, which resulted in a controlled flight into terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he entered a left traffic pattern for runway 30 during night, visual meteorological conditions. Although the pilot thought he had sufficient altitude during the initial phase of the final approach based on his altimeter indication, shortly after turning to final approach, the airplane impacted terrain.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage, and the three occupants were not injured.

Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The examination did reveal that the altimeter had an incorrect setting, which resulted in an altimeter indication error of +800 ft mean sea level. The pilot stated that he must have had the incorrect altimeter setting for the destination airport.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN19CA017 for the full record.