# NTSB DEN81FTE19: Piper PA-18, N6609L, Alamosa, CO, January 28, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 28, 1981
- Place: Alamosa, CO · ALAMOSA, CO
- Location: 37.4745° N, 105.8770° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alamosa, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4745&lon=-105.8770&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN81FTE19
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FTE19

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0362  81/1/28    ALAMOSA,CO          PIPER PA-18         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 25, 100
        TIME - 1030                    N6609L              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 86 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - VAN TREESE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ALAMOSA,CO                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: BUZZING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6609L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6609L), registered now, S/N 18-7409110, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Van Treese

## 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 19810128003359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810128003359A), Jan 28, 1981: Piper PA18150, Alamosa, CO, Substantial damage. Struck powerline. Impact tore off part of left wing. Airplane stalled. Veartical impact.

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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