# NTSB DEN79FQA28: Piper PA-28, N2543M, Gallup, NM, May 10, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 10, 1979
- 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: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136125
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN79FQA28
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FQA28

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1012  79/5/10    GALLUP,NM           PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             CERTIFICATE UNKNOWN, AGE
        TIME - 0750                    N2543M              PX-  0  1  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  41, 176 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE, UNK/NR
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SEN CLAKE FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GALLUP,NM                   LAS VEGAS,NM
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRFRAME ICE
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN/LOWER SCATTERED                                    3000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      32
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          190                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- D/A APPROX 6100FT.TKOF FULL RICH MIXTURE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2543M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Sen Clake Field

## 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 19790510009019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790510009019A), May 10, 1979: Piper PA28161, Gallup, NM, Substantial damage. Aircraft took off but was unable to mainiain flight. Witnesses said there was moderate frost on the wings.

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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