# NTSB CEN10LA227: Piper PA-28-140, N4372J, Glenwood, NM, August 7, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 2010, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Glenwood, NM - Coordinates: 33.485279, -108.117774 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4853&lon=-108.1178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 75866 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75866/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75866 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA227 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff from an unimproved airstrip with a high density altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Terrain: high elevation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was doing some back country flying and landed to the northeast at an unimproved ranch airstrip with a field elevation of 7,400 feet msl. The airstrip was not maintained and there was tall grass along the landing path. After landing, the pilot turned around and took off to the southwest. The airplane failed to gain altitude and collided with a fence and impacted terrain. The pilot said the temperature was 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit). There were no anomalies found with the airplane's engine or other airplane systems. ## Factual narrative On August 7, approximately 1100 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N4372J, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a grass airstrip near Glenwood, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The cross-country flight originated at Negrito, New Mexico, and was destined for Beaverhead Airstrip near Glenwood. The pilot said he was doing some back country flying and landed to the northeast at what he thought was Beaverhead Airstrip. It was actually Shepley Ranch Airstrip, elevation 7,400 feet mean sea level. The field was not maintained and there was tall grass along the runway. The pilot turned around and took off to the southwest. The airplane failed to gain altitude and collided with a fence and impacted terrain. The pilot said the temperature was 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit). Flight control continuity was confirmed and no anomalies were found with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4372J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4372J-2011-04-26), registration cancelled 2011-04-26, S/N 28-22756, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-22756 - Airframe hours: 4040 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Adam N. Rosenberg - Registered owner: Adam N. Rosenberg - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2010, 286 hours before - Departed: 1NM7, Negrito, NM - Destination: 13NM, Glenwood, NM - Airport: NONE, Shepley Ranch, runway 24, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 2, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 2,100 total, 1,754 in this make and model, 2,017 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: SVC ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100807040719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100807040719A), Aug 7, 2010: Piper PA-28-140, Reserve, NM, Substantial damage. On August 7, 2010 at 12:15 mt on a private airstrip located in western new Mexico at 33º 29' 15" n, 108º 06' 51" w, a Piper PA-28-140 sustained substantial… ## Other investigations on N4372J (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB NYC80FHJ08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80FHJ08), Dec 29, 1979: Piper PA-28 (N4372J), Amityville, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 16, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75866. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335969&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334945&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Damaged fence. (item 3, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335325&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Damaged%20fence.-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Right side of N4372J. Runway is on hill in background. (item 4, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335326&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Right%20side%20of%20N4372J.%20Runway%20is%20on%20hill%20in%20background.-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Frontal view of N4372J. Note right wing leading edge damage. (item 5, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335327&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Frontal%20view%20of%20N4372J.%20Note%20right%20wing%20leading%20edge%20damage.-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Left side of N4372J. (item 6, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335328&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20Left%20side%20of%20N4372J.-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Left wing and flap damage and severed nose gear. (item 7, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335329&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20Left%20wing%20and%20flap%20damage%20and%20severed%20nose%20gear.-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.