Probable cause
Controlled flight into terrain for unknown reasons.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was cleared for a GPS approach and broke out of the clouds at 1,800 feet. He entered a left hand traffic pattern and his last recollection was turning base. He woke up in the crashed airplane which was on fire. The airplane was destroyed. An examination of airplane systems revealed no anomalies.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DEN08LA145 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 1, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Angle Fire, New Mexico
- Nearest airport
- Angel Fire (AXX)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night, dark
Cessna 340A
- N-number
- N397RA
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.