# NTSB DEN08LA079: Piper PA-28-181, N6260J, Reserve, NM, April 17, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 17, 2008, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Reserve, NM - Coordinates: 33.701389, -108.860275 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7014&lon=-108.8603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 67892 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67892/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA079 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of aircraft control, resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing factors in this accident were the sudden windshift to a gusting tailwind, an uphill runway, high density altitude, the pilot's failure to use all available runwayt, and his lack of experience in high altitude airport operations. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience in position](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031020): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031020/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: runway/landing area condition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis Takeoff was from runway 24. The wind was from 210 degrees at 10 to 12 knots. The pilot said that after the airplane lifted off and climbed above tree level, he encountered a "severe wind gust (right quartering tail wind) from approximately 040 degrees [of] at least 20+ knots." He said the airplane lost lift and was blown off runway centerline. He tried to "stabilize the [air]plane but with [the] loss of lift, [it] impacted [the] ground hard, [with the] nose and left wing, [and] flipped [over]." The airplane caught fire and was totally consumed. Airport elevation is 6,360 feet msl. Runway 06-24 is 4,800 feet long and 50 feet wide, and made of asphalt. Runway 24 has a 1.9 per cent uphill gradient. The pilot estimated his useful load to be 898 pounds and that the airplane weighed approximately 2,430 pounds. Gross weight is 2,550 pounds and empty weight is 1,540 pounds. According to the U.S. Forest Service ranger station, located approximately 5 miles east of the airport, the temperature was 53 degrees F. FAA calculated the density altitude to be between 6,900 and 7,300 feet. The pilot had been certificated for about six weeks, and had minimal high density altitude experience. ## Factual narrative On April 17, 2008, approximately 1230 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N6260J, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it struck terrain shortly after taking off from Reserve Airport (T16), Reserve, 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, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The pilot and one passenger were seriously injured, and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident, and was en route to Mesa (FFZ), Arizona. According to the pilot's accident report, takeoff was from runway 24. The wind was from 210 degrees at 10 to 12 knots. The pilot said that after the airplane lifted off and climbed above tree level, he encountered "severe wind gust (right quartering tail wind) from approximately 040 degrees [of] at least 20+ knots." He said the airplane lost lift and was blown off runway centerline. He tried to "stabilize the [air]plane but with [the] loss of lift, [it] impacted [the] ground hard, [with the] nose and left wing, [and] flipped [over]." The airplane caught fire and was totally consumed. An FAA inspector went to the accident site and recovered a window-mounted Lowrance Airmap 2000c GPS (Global Positioning System) from the wreckage. The unit was sent to NTSB's Vehicle Recorder Division where stored data was successfully downloaded. According to NTSB's factual report, the Airmap 2000c does not record time or altitude. The report stated: "Recorded track data corresponding to the flight on April 17, 2008, are consistent with the aircraft being on the ground at Reserve, NM. Recorded tracklog data indicate that the aircraft moved from the ramp area to a point approximately 1,000 [feet] from the approach end for runway 24. The aircraft performed a 180 degree turn on the runway and traveled to a point directly abeam the numbers for the 09 end of the runway, and about 80 feet south of the runway centerline. The last recorded GPS location was recorded at 1606:45 CDT and placed the aircraft at N33 degrees, 41.547', W108 degrees, 51.434'. Calculated average course between the last two recorded data points was 245 degrees true." The pilot's brother, who witnessed the accident, was interviewed by the FAA inspector via telephone. He saw the airplane take off and climb, then descend left wing low. Although he did not see the impact, he heard it and went to the accident site. He helped extricate the right front seat passenger. He placed all three victims in his truck and, while he was driving to a medical facility, he encountered a sheriff's deputy, who summoned emergency medical personnel. According to AirNav.com, Reserve Airport is at an elevation of 6,360 feet msl. Runway 06-24 is 4,800 feet long and 50 feet wide, and constructed of asphalt. Runway 24 has a 1.9 per cent uphill gradient. The pilot estimated his useful load to be 898 pounds and takeoff weight to be 2,430 pounds. The airplane has a gross weight of 2,550 pounds, and an empty weight of 1,540 pounds. According to the U.S. Forest Service ranger station, located approximately 5 miles east of the airport, the temperature at 1300 was 53 degrees Fahrenheit. FAA calculated the density altitude to be between 6,900 and 7,300 feet. According to FAA records, the pilot took his private pilot practical test in the latter part of February 2008 and failed. He retook the test and passed it in the early part of March 2008. Other than the flight to Reserve, the pilot's only other high density altitude experience was when he flew into Payson, Arizona. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6260J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6260J-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 28-7690385, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7690385 - Airframe hours: 2198 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mexican Air, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2007, 140 hours before - Departed: T16, Reserve, NM - Destination: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: T16, Reserve, runway 24, 4,800 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 110 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 5 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: SVC, 90 nm away ## 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 20080417832189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080417832189A), Apr 17, 2008: Piper PA28181, Reserve, NM, Destroyed. (-23) On April 17, 2008 at approximately 1340 MDT, N6260J, a Piper PA-28-181 archer, was destroyed when it crashed during takeoff from runway 24 at the… 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.