# NTSB DEN85LA152: Piper PA-28R-200, N8651C, Los Almos, NM, June 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1985, 17:18 local (23:18 UTC)
- Place: Los Almos, NM
- Coordinates: 35.88953, -106.279228 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8895&lon=-106.2792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA152

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vref) - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - excessive
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS MAKING AN APCH TO RWY 27 AT THE LOS ALAMOS MUNI ARPT IN GUSTY X-WIND CONDITIONS. THE ARPT WAS LOCATED ATOP A MESA & RWY 27 HAD A 1.5% UPHILL RWY GRADIENT. THE PLT SAID HE SELECTED 2 NOTCHES (25 DEG) OF FLAPS. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 210 TO 240 DEG AT 10 TO 16 KTS. AS THE PLT FLARED TO LAND, A STRONG GUST OF WIND PUSHED THE ACFT TO THE RIGHT OF CENTERLINE. THE PLT SAID HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A GO-AROUND. HOWEVER, THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND ADJACENT TO THE RWY & SKIDDED 200 FT BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE ARPT ELEVATION WAS 7173 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8651C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8651C), registered now, S/N 28R-7635170, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7635170
- Airframe hours: 17555
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Roger A. Kopp
- Registered owner: Mildred V. Bailey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1984
- Departed: OKM, OKMULGEE, OK
- Destination: LAM, LOS ALMOS, NM
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LAM, Los Alamos, runway 27, 5,527 × 130 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 670 total, 191 in this make and model, 629 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAM

## 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 19850609023699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850609023699A), Jun 9, 1985: Piper PA28R200, Los Alamos, NM, Substantial damage. Strong wind gust, exceeding crosswind component, blew aircraft to one side. Stalled during attempted go around.

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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