# NTSB DEN85LA126: Piper PA-28R-201, N38327, Angle Fire, NM, May 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1985, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Angle Fire, NM
- Coordinates: 36.38943, -105.270164 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3894&lon=-105.2702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16670
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16670/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA126

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
- Fire, landing - flare/touchdown
  - fuel system,tank - penetrated

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM THE 6700 FT LONG RWY WITH A DENSITY ALT OF 10400 FT, TURBULENCE WAS EXPERIENCED AND THE AIRSPEED DECREASED TO APRX 70 KTS. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT, A FORCED LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED DURING WHICH THE ACFT CONTACTED A FENCE. THE PLT REPORTED, '...WE COMPLETED PROCEDURES ACCORDING TO OWNER'S MANUAL FOR WEIGHT AND BALANCE, RUNWAY LENGTH, PERFORMANCE AND RUNUP.' THE TAKEOFF WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITH 10 DEGS OF FLAPS LOWERED AND AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS ACCELERATED TO 90 KTS. THE MAX DENSITY ALT ON THE TAKEOFF VS DENSITY ALT CHART IN THE FLT HANDBOOK IS 7000 FT. RECOMMENDED SHORT FLD TAKEOFF PROCEDURE CALLS FOR 25 DEGS OF FLAPS AND ACCELERATION TO 80 MPH UNTIL OBSTACLES ARE CLEARED. ANGLE FIRE ARPT IS LOCATED IN A MOUNTAIN VALLEY WITH RISING TERRAIN IN ALL DIRECTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38327](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38327-1989-01-04), registration cancelled 1989-01-04, S/N 28R7737088 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7737088
- Airframe hours: 2045
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Acme School Of Aeronautics
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 23, 1985
- Destination: AMARILLO, TX
- Airport: Angel Fire, runway 17, 6,700 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,042 total, 69 in this make and model, 2,905 as pilot in command, 171 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19850505018349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850505018349A), May 5, 1985: Piper PA28R201, Angel Fire, NM, Substantial damage. Attempted gross weight takeoff with 10 degrees of flaps and 10400 density altitude. Struck fence on forced landing.

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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