# NTSB DEN85LA176: American AA-1, N5984L, Gallup, NM, June 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1985, 13:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Gallup, NM
- Coordinates: 35.519508, -108.729873 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5195&lon=-108.7299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16715/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA176

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - inadequate
  - climb - not possible
  - lowering of flaps - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained
  - stall/mush

## Analysis

DURING A X-COUNTRY FLT FROM LOS ANGELES, CA TO TULSA, OK, THE PLT MADE AN EN ROUTE STOP AT GALLUP, NM. THE FUEL TANKS WERE FULLY SERVICED & THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH A PASSENGER & APRX 50 LBS OF TOOLS & BAGGAGE ON BOARD. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB MORE THAN 75 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. BOTH HE AND THE PASSENGER (HIS 10 YR OLD SON) REPORTED THE ENG SEEMED TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE HIGH DENSITY ALT CAUSED A LACK OF CLIMB PERFORMANCE. HE FLEW THE ACFT BETWEEN RIDGE TOPS & LOWERED THE FLAPS IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN ALT. HOWEVER, ABOUT 3 MI FROM THE APRT, THE ACFT DESCENDED & HIT THE GROUND. DURING IMPACT, THE PLT'S SEAT BELT FAILED. HE RECEIVED SEVERE FACIAL INJURIES & BROKEN RIBS. THE DENSITY ALT AT GALLUP WAS COMPUTED TO BE 9600 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5984L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5984L-1993-04-14), registration cancelled 1993-04-14, S/N AA10284 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN AA-1
- Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Juan Warren
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: TULSA, OK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GUP, Senator Clarke, runway 24, 6,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 108 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUP, 3 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 19850630053559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850630053559A), Jun 30, 1985: Gulstm AA1, Gallup, NM, Destroyed. Descended and crashed after takeoff. Aircraft would not climb. Density altitude was 9600 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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