# NTSB DEN79FA008: Aero Comdr 500S, N2973F, Gallup, NM, November 17, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 17, 1978
- Place: Gallup, NM · GALLUP, NM
- Location: 35.5138° N, 108.7437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gallup, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5138&lon=-108.7437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 1, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138440
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN79FA008
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FA008

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3939  78/11/17 NR.GALLUP,NM          AERO COMDR 500S     CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 37, 1467
        TIME - 0850                    N2973F              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 517 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SENATOR CLARK
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         GALLUP,NM                    ALBUQUERQUE,NM
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRFRAME ICE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- FROST ON AIRCRAFT.TURBOCHARGERS NOT USED ON TKOF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2973F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2973F-1982-07-21), registration cancelled 1982-07-21, S/N 3062, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMDR 500S
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 500 S](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-500-s) (registry code 0141107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Senator Clark

## 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 19781117041969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781117041969A), Nov 17, 1978: Rkwell 500S, Gallup, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Frost on aircraft. Turbochargers not used on tkof.

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.