# NTSB DEN85FA043: Piper PA-30-160, N7329Y, Albuquerque, NM, December 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1984, 18:57 local (Dec 15, 1984, 01:57 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: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA043

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS EN ROUTE FROM FORTH WORTH, TX, TO SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, WHEN THE PLT DECIDED TO DIVERT TO ALBUQUERQUE. THE A/C CRASHED WHILE BEING VECTORED FOR AN ILS APPROACH TO RWY 8. THE PLT RECEIVED HIS INSTRUMENT RATING SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 6 MOS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE HAD LOGGED 24.1 HRS OF ACTUAL INSTRUMENTS BUT ONLY ONE INSTRUMENT APPROACH SINCE RECEIVING HIS INSTRUMENT RATING. THE PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING MORE THAN 3 HRS ON INSTRUMENTS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7329Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7329Y-1986-09-10), registration cancelled 1986-09-10, S/N 30-375 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-375
- Airframe hours: 32877
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-BIA 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Boogie Bears Design & Display
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1983, 1,969 hours before
- Departed: FTW, FORT WORTH, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 739 total, 161 in this make and model, 668 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 18 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 15 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 19841214066829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841214066829A), Dec 14, 1984: Piper PA30, Albuquerque, NM, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Vertical impact in poor weather. Aircraft out of annual, altimeter read 1700 feet high, pilot not IFR current.

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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