# NTSB DEN03LA124: PZL Wilga 104-80, N214AL, Santa Fe, NM, July 8, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 2003, 07:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Santa Fe, NM
- Coordinates: 35.669063, -105.949043 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6691&lon=-105.9490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA124

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment

## Analysis

On approach to land, the airspeed went from 50 knots to 30 knots. The airplane began to descend rapidly and impacted the terrain. The airplane nosed over and slid approximately 100 feet before going down an embankment on the left side of the runway, substantially damaging the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On July 8, 2003, at 0750 mountain daylight time, a  PZL Wilga 104-80, N214AL, operated by the pilot was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during final approach at a private dirt air strip near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The pilot, the sole occupant onboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 0700.

According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, on "approach to land, [the] airspeed went from 50 knots to 30 [knots]." The airplane began to descend rapidly. The pilot said he added "full power" but was not able to arrest the descent prior to impacting terrain. The airplane nosed over and slid approximately 100 feet before going down an embankment on the left side of the runway. The vertical stabilizer was bent, the horizontal stabilizer was severed, and the wings were wrinkled. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N214AL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PZL Wilga 104-80
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 00010014
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540_K1B5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: SAF, SANTA FE, NM
- Destination: PVT, Los Cinaga, NM
- Airport: PVT, Private Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 22, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 3,515 total, 360 in this make and model, 3,360 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: KSAF, 6 nm away

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.

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