Cessna 150M accident near Deming, New Mexico, February 27, 2013
On February 27, 2013 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Cessna 150M, registered N9172U, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Deming, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's physical incapacitation, including loss of vision, which led to a loss of control and the subsequent in-flight breakup of the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 27, 2013 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Deming, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N9172U · no longer on the register · serial 15078123
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the flight, the pilot reported that he was “in trouble,” experiencing severe pain, and losing his eyesight. Radar contact was lost shortly afterward. The 78-year-old pilot had been issued a limited third class airman medical certificate due to elevated blood pressure. Toxicology testing revealed the presence of irbesartan, which is used mainly for treating hypertension. Although the cause of death was attributed to blunt force trauma, the heart exhibited significant preexisting coronary artery disease with up to 75 percent occlusion in a number of vessels. Wreckage distribution was consistent with an in flight breakup. Therefore, the evidence is consistent with the pilot most likely suffering an acute coronary syndrome, which incapacitated him and caused him to lose control of the airplane. During the loss of control, the airframe was overstressed, which caused it to break up in flight.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during enroute defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Cardiovascular › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 247 hours in all; 4 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,542 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 18, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: E80 Belen NM at 5:00 pm
- Destination: KELP El Paso TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point -2°F (-19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KDMN, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.