# NTSB DEN85LA132: Piper PA-28R-180, N7439J, Reserve, NM, May 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1985, 11:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Reserve, NM
- Coordinates: 33.700111, -108.759513 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7001&lon=-108.7595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16675
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16675/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA132

## 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
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - fence
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

PLT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALT OF APRX 100 FT AGL, THE ACFT STOPPED CLIMBING AND STARTED DESCENDING. UNABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT, THE PLT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN THE LEFT MAIN GEAR CONTACTED THE TOP OF A BARBED WIRE FENCE AND THE MAIN AND NOSE GEARS COLLAPSED ON LANDING. DENSITY ALT AT TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS CALCULATED TO BE 7900 FT. THE MAX DENSITY ALT LISTED ON THE TAKEOFF DISTANCE VS DENSITY ALT CHART IN THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK IS 7000 FT. THE PLT STATED HE BELIEVED EITHER A DOWNDRAFT OR WIND SHEAR WAS ENCOUNTERED AFTER TAKEOFF, HOWEVER, HE REPORTED A WIND VELOCITY OF 8 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7439J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7439J-1990-03-19), registration cancelled 1990-03-19, S/N 28R30784 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-30784
- Airframe hours: 2450
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Dekker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1985
- Destination: TUCSON, AZ
- Airport: Q16, Reserve, runway 24, 4,800 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 307 total, 106 in this make and model, 229 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19850511016629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850511016629A), May 11, 1985: Piper PA28R180, Reserve, NM, Substantial damage. Unable to stay airborne after liftoff due to load and density altitude. Struck a fence and the ground.

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.