# NTSB DEN85LA172: Piper PA-28-180, N6504J, Angle Fire, NM, June 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1985, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Angle Fire, NM
- Coordinates: 36.389705, -105.26963 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3897&lon=-105.2696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16711/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA172

## 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)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded (cause)
  - distance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - stall/mush - continued, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON JUNE 26, 1985, A PIPER PA 28-180, DESCENDED AND CRASHED AFTER TAKEOFF FROM ANGEL FIRE AIRPORT, NM. THE PLT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES. THE DENSITY ALT WAS 10609 FT. THE TAKEOFF DISTANCE CHART INDICATES A MAXIMUM DA OF 7000 FT. THE PLT WAS NOT INJURED. HIS WIFE RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6504J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6504J-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 284940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4940
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Burris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Angel Fire, runway 35, 6,800 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19850626028089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850626028089A), Jun 26, 1985: Piper PA28180, Angel Fire, NM, Substantial damage. Aircraft would not climb after takeoff. Impacted the ground with a computed density altitude of 10609 feet.

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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