# NTSB DEN80FQA01: Piper PA-38, N2461K, Gallup, NM, October 5, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 5, 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: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 19, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN80FQA01
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FQA01

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3857   79/10/5   GALLUP,NM           PIPER PA-38         CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 42, 47 TOTAL
        TIME - 1635                    N2461K              PX-  0  0  0  TRAINING                  HOURS, 43 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CLARKE FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GALLUP,NM                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2461K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2461K-2012-06-27), registration cancelled 2012-06-27, S/N 38-79A0644, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Clarke 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 19791005032049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791005032049A), Oct 5, 1979: Piper PA38112, Gallup, NM, Substantial damage. Student pilot reported aircraft banked suddenly after takeoff. Dragged wing on ground and possible dust devil.

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.
