# NTSB DEN76AD065: Piper PA-28R, N8776C, Melrose, NM, August 15, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 15, 1976
- Place: Melrose, NM · MELROSE, NM
- Location: 34.4295° N, 103.6294° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Melrose, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4295&lon=-103.6294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 155272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN76AD065
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76AD065

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2740  76/8/15  NR.MELROSE,NM         PIPER PA-28R        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 44, 3000
        TIME - 1520                    N8776C              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 25 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ROSWELL,NM                  RATON,NM
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: BUZZING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PLT BLOOD ETHANOL LEVEL O.098%.BLOOD ACETALDEHYDE 0.001%.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8776C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8776C-1976-11-24), registration cancelled 1976-11-24, S/N 28R-7635181, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19760815031079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760815031079A), Aug 15, 1976: Piper PA28R, Melrose, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Plt blood ethanol level o.098 .blood acetaldehyde 0.001 .

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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