RESERVE, NM, USA
N732SK
CESSNA T210M
THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS WHILE IT WAS STILL DARK. A CHECK AT THE AIRPORT REVEALED A PLANE WAS MISSING. A FURTHER CHECK WITH THE OWNER WAS MADE WHICH REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN STOLEN. THE PLANE HAD BEEN SECURED WITH A WHEEL LOCK, BUT SOMEONE HAD CUT THE LOCK WITH A TORCH. ALL THE VEHICLES AND OTHER AIRCRAFT HAD HEAVY FROST ON THEIR WINDSHIELDS. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 8 DEG. WITNESSES AGREED THAT THE PILOT HAD STARTED THE PLANE, TAXIED A SHORT DISTANCE AND TOOK OFF WITHOUT WARMING THE TURBOCHARGED ENGINE. REPORTEDLY, THE SURROUNDING HILLS WERE VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AS IT PASSED OVER THE CREST OF A HILL ABOUT 2 MI FROM THE AIRPORT. DURING THE ACCIDENT, IT IMPACTED WITH TREES WHILE BANKED ABOUT 45 DEG TO THE LEFT. AFTER HITTING THE TREES, THE PLANE REMAINED AIRBORNE FOR SOME 474 FT BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND AND BURNING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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