# NTSB DEN85LA003: Piper PA-28-140, N707FL, Silver City, NM, October 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1984, 11:03 local (17:03 UTC)
- Place: Silver City, NM
- Coordinates: 32.778999, -108.259307 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7790&lon=-108.2593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16587/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA003

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON RWY 33. HE CONTINUED TO STATE THAT IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE LANDING FLARE, A 'TERRIFIC DOWNDRAFT' FORCED THE ACFT DOWN ON THE RWY. THE ACFT LANDED HARD AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND. HE SAID THE ACFT 'DID NOT FLY RIGHT' AFTER THE INITIAL HARD BOUNCE AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE ACFT STRUCK SEVERAL FENCE POST AND SETTLED TO THE GROUND. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 270 DEGREES AT 5 KTS WITH 10 KTS GUSTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N707FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N707FL-2013-10-28), registration cancelled 2013-10-28, S/N 28-7225305, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287225305
- Airframe hours: 2424
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E20 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Warren Sparks
- Registered owner: Warren Sparks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 27, 1984
- Departed: GLENDALE, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 1E6, Tuner Ridgeport, runway 33, 4,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 655 total, 632 in this make and model, 569 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19841005054609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841005054609A), Oct 5, 1984: Piper PA28140, Silver City, NM, Destroyed. Pilot claims aircraft hit downdraft as he flared for landing causing damage and loss of directional control.

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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