# NTSB DEN81FA017: Piper PA-28R, N8516E, Wendover, UT, January 25, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 25, 1981
- Place: Wendover, UT · WENDOVER, UT
- Location: 40.7240° N, 114.0251° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wendover, UT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7240&lon=-114.0251&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127265
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN81FA017
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA017

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0215  81/1/25    WENDOVER,UT         PIPER PA-28R        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 47, 179
        TIME - 1930                    N8516E              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 62 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WENDOVER
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WENDOVER,UT                 SALT LAKE CITY,UT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
        REMARKS- BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL 0.178%.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8516E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8516E-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 28R-7635189, 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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Wendover

## 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 19810125002939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810125002939A), Jan 25, 1981: Piper PA28R200, Wendover, UT, Destroyed. Intoxicated pilot made nightime takeoff from taxiway. Proceeded in opposite direction of destination, hit mountain.

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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