Report Notes Timeline of November Plane Crash that Killed Snyder Man
By: Snyder Daily News
Updated: May 10, 2012
A preliminary report has been released by the National Transportation Safety Board with details about the airplane crash that killed Snyder resident Jerry Don Greene last year.
The Nov. 26 crash of the Model 182 R Cessna occurred on the northeast part of the Mescalero Apache Reservation in New Mexico. Greene was en route to the Ruidoso airport from Snyder when the accident occurred.
The report stated that Greene contacted the Roswell airport at 8:21 a.m. He reported he was about 20 miles east of Roswell and at 8,500 feet.
The controller in Roswell then gave Greene the altimeter setting for the Ruidoso airport and advised him at 8:34 a.m. that there was an area of light precipitation, 15 miles ahead of his position which was 10 miles in diameter and extended about 10 miles along his path.
One minute later, Greene advised the controller that he was going to descend 1,000 feet to stay out of the clouds. At 8:41 a.m., the controller asked Greene if he was familiar with the high terrain around the Ruidoso airport. According to the controller, he did not receive a response but a minute later, Greene advised the controller that he was returning to Roswell due to poor visibility.
At 8:54 a.m., Greene said he was going to attempt to go on to Ruidoso and the controller advised him to proceed at his own discretion, but to maintain VFR (visual flight rules). Those call for the pilot to fly only if he has visual reference to the ground or fly on instruments.
The NTSB report noted that Greene was not instrument rated.
Greene acknowledged the Roswell controller's message at 9:05 a.m. and his radio frequency change was approved for the Ruidoso airport. A short time later, the pilot made contact on that airport's Unicom frequency and said he was unable to continue due to poor weather. The airport manager later said he assumed Greene had flown to another airport as no other contact was made.
When the single engine plane was reported missing by Greene's father, who was waiting at the Ruidoso airport, a search ensued and the wreckage was located on Nov. 30.
At the crash location, it was noted that the airplane had a 1,650-foot debris path on the downward slope of a hill and the airspeed indicator was at 150 knots.
Also found at the site was a hand-held GPS system. NTSB officials noted the aircraft had been in a right spiral after reviewing the system.
The report indicated it was consistent with radar data that showed the plane had made a left turn, then a right, and then a series of 360-degree turns just before radar contact was lost.
An autopsy of Green indicated no trace of alcohol or drugs.
Also killed in the crash was Tracy Martinez of San Angelo.
A final description of the accident and probable cause will be released at a later date by the NTSB.
The report did include information on pilot spatial disorientation that causes a pilot to become disoriented due to a lack of visual reference to the natural horizon.
Spatial disorientation can be brought about by low visibility, night conditions and reflected light from the anti-collision rotating beacon.
The Nov. 26 crash of the Model 182 R Cessna occurred on the northeast part of the Mescalero Apache Reservation in New Mexico. Greene was en route to the Ruidoso airport from Snyder when the accident occurred.
The report stated that Greene contacted the Roswell airport at 8:21 a.m. He reported he was about 20 miles east of Roswell and at 8,500 feet.
The controller in Roswell then gave Greene the altimeter setting for the Ruidoso airport and advised him at 8:34 a.m. that there was an area of light precipitation, 15 miles ahead of his position which was 10 miles in diameter and extended about 10 miles along his path.
One minute later, Greene advised the controller that he was going to descend 1,000 feet to stay out of the clouds. At 8:41 a.m., the controller asked Greene if he was familiar with the high terrain around the Ruidoso airport. According to the controller, he did not receive a response but a minute later, Greene advised the controller that he was returning to Roswell due to poor visibility.
At 8:54 a.m., Greene said he was going to attempt to go on to Ruidoso and the controller advised him to proceed at his own discretion, but to maintain VFR (visual flight rules). Those call for the pilot to fly only if he has visual reference to the ground or fly on instruments.
The NTSB report noted that Greene was not instrument rated.
Greene acknowledged the Roswell controller's message at 9:05 a.m. and his radio frequency change was approved for the Ruidoso airport. A short time later, the pilot made contact on that airport's Unicom frequency and said he was unable to continue due to poor weather. The airport manager later said he assumed Greene had flown to another airport as no other contact was made.
When the single engine plane was reported missing by Greene's father, who was waiting at the Ruidoso airport, a search ensued and the wreckage was located on Nov. 30.
At the crash location, it was noted that the airplane had a 1,650-foot debris path on the downward slope of a hill and the airspeed indicator was at 150 knots.
Also found at the site was a hand-held GPS system. NTSB officials noted the aircraft had been in a right spiral after reviewing the system.
The report indicated it was consistent with radar data that showed the plane had made a left turn, then a right, and then a series of 360-degree turns just before radar contact was lost.
An autopsy of Green indicated no trace of alcohol or drugs.
Also killed in the crash was Tracy Martinez of San Angelo.
A final description of the accident and probable cause will be released at a later date by the NTSB.
The report did include information on pilot spatial disorientation that causes a pilot to become disoriented due to a lack of visual reference to the natural horizon.
Spatial disorientation can be brought about by low visibility, night conditions and reflected light from the anti-collision rotating beacon.
