# NTSB DEN73FQA14: Piper PA-28, N5459W, Counselors, NM, August 15, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: August 15, 1972
- Place: Counselors, NM · COUNSELORS, NM
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 167928
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN73FQA14
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73FQA14

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2980  72/8/15    COUNSELORS,N MEX    PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 50, 1280
        TIME - 1930                    N5459W              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 453 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LINDRITH COMPR
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          COUNSELORS,N MEX            LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: FENCE,FENCEPOSTS                          TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      85
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          CALM                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- DENS ALT APRX 9000FT.MIX NOT LEANED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5459W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5459W-1973-09-13), registration cancelled 1973-09-13, S/N 28-538, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Lindrith Compr

## Other investigations on N5459W (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 DEN66F0064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66F0064), Aug 9, 1965: Piper PA-28 (N5459W), Snowville, UT, substantial damage

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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