# NTSB DEN85LA175: Piper PA-32R-301T, N8180F, Lordsburg, NM, June 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1985, 10:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Lordsburg, NM
- Coordinates: 32.33953, -108.699745 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3395&lon=-108.6997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16714
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16714/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA175

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotation - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport/facilities - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF FROM A DIRT ROAD AT OR NEAR MAX GROSS WIEGHT AND AT HIGH DENSITY ALT CONDITIONS. THE PLT SAID THERE WAS A SMALL RISE IN THE ROAD AND HE EASED BACK ON THE CONTROL YOKE. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED OFF THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD, STRIKING TWO MOUNDS OF DIRT. THE PLT SAID HE RECALLED THE LAST INDICATED AIRSPEED READOUT AS BEING 65 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8180F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8180F), registered now, S/N 32R-8029076, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-8029076
- Airframe hours: 1091
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Don B. Fedric & V. Beagles
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1984, 466 hours before
- Destination: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,501 total, 242 in this make and model, 1,373 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DMN, 56 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 19850627028249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850627028249A), Jun 27, 1985: Piper PA32R301T, Lordsburg, NM, Substantial damage. Lifted off early from a road and lost directional control. Struck embankment in a field. Density altitude a factor.

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.