# NTSB DEN86LA018: Piper PA-28-140, N4351J, Ranchos De Taos, NM, November 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1985, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Ranchos De Taos, NM
- Coordinates: 36.380661, -105.569892 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3807&lon=-105.5699&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): 16881
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16881/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA018

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of experience, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, AFTER A TOUCH AND GO, THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A SAGE BRUSH COVERED FLD 3/4 OF A MILE NORTH OF THE RWY. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE FAILED TO SWITCH THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE 1.2 HOUR LOCAL FLT WHICH PRECEEDED THE TOUCH AND GO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4351J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22729
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harvey Judges
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, April 1, 1985, 15 hours before
- Airport: SKX, Taos Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 43 total, 38 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 46 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALS, 59 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 19851103055749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851103055749A), Nov 3, 1985: Piper PA28140, Taos, NM, Substantial damage. Engine lost power in the pattern and aircraft flipped over during landing. Student failed to switch fuel tanks.

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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