# NTSB DEN85LA159: Piper PA-25-235-B, N7336Z, Lovington, NM, June 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1985, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Lovington, NM
- Coordinates: 32.940639, -103.350486 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9406&lon=-103.3505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA159

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF TO THE EAST FROM A 1000-FOOT MOWED ALFALFA FIELD AT A FIELD ELEVATION OF 3700 FT  MSL. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE WINDS TO BE FROM THE SOUTHEAST AT 8 MPH. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS COMPUTED TO BE BETWEEN 6578 AND 6871 FT MSL. ACCORDING TO THE PIPER ACFT CORPORATION, THE AIRPLANE WOULD REQUIRE 1688 FT TO TAKE OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7336Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7336Z), registered now, S/N 25-3285, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235-B (PA-25-235-)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-3285
- Airframe hours: 2570
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary D. Gee
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1985, 2 hours before
- Airport: runway 9, 1,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 562 total, 1 in this make and model, 468 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROS, 71 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 19850608023599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850608023599A), Jun 8, 1985: Piper PA25235, Lovington, NM, Substantial damage. Collided with fence post during attempted takeoff from alfalfa field. Density altitude a factor.

## Other investigations on N7336Z (2)

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.

- [NTSB CEN17LA372](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA372), Sep 28, 2017: Piper PA 25-235 (N7336Z), Westphalia, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to a fatigue failure of the crankshaft that resulted from main bearing shift and lack of lubrication.
- [NTSB DEN71DQA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN71DQA02), Jul 23, 1970: Piper PA-25 (N7336Z), Raton, NM, substantial damage

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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