# NTSB DEN84LA138: Piper PA-36-375, N2371Y, Albuquerque, NM, April 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1984, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16372/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA138

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, cruise
- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD RECENTLY BEEN SOLD & WAS BEING FERRIED TO THE BUYER IN OKLAHOMA. AFTER A REFUELING STOP AT THE CORONADO ARPT, THE PLT TOOK OFF & PROCEEDED NORTHEAST TO AVOID ROTOR CLOUDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SANDIA MOUNTAINS ABOUT 8 MI EAST OF ALBUQUERQUE, NM. THE MOUNTAINS ARE ORIENTED NORTH & SOUTH & EXTEND ABOUT 18 MI NORTH OF ALBUQUERQUE. AFTER GOING AROUND THE NORTH END OF THE MOUNTAINS, THE PLT TURNED SOUTHEAST. HE WAS FLYING AT APRX 1500 FT AGL WHEN THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE & DOWNDRAFTS OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF THE MOUNTAIN RANGE. THE PLT REVERSED COURSE & ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO CORONADO ARPT. HOWEVER, THE ACFT ENTERED MORE 'TURBULENCE & SINK' & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN HIS ALTITUDE. THE ACFT DESCENDED TO TREETOP HEIGHT, HIT THE TOP OF A SMALL TREE & THE PLT WAS FORCED TO LAND IN AN AREA OF BRUSH. THE 1416 MST WIND AT ALBUQUERQUE WAS FROM 220 DEG AT 30 GUSTING TO 58 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2371Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2371Y-2026-02-17), registration cancelled 2026-02-17, S/N 36-8102003, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-375
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-375](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-375) (registry code 7103620) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-8102003
- Airframe hours: 280
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-D1CD 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Everett
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: 4AC, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: PRYOR, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,250 total, 200 in this make and model, 4,900 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 30 knots, gusting 58
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Observed at: ABQ, 12 nm away

## 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 19840425017359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840425017359A), Apr 25, 1984: Piper PA36375, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Operated near the downwind side of a mountain chain in severe surface winds and turbulence. Descended into trees.

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.