# NTSB DEN86LA030: Piper PA-28-140D, N473FL, Albuquerque, NM, November 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1985, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.189487, -106.499214 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1895&lon=-106.4992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16888
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16888/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA030

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,spark plug - contamination (contributing factor)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ENG LOST PWR SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, REQUIRING THE PLT TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PLT HAD FLOWN INTO, AND LATER ATTEMPTED TO DEPART FROM ALBUQUERQUE, NM, WITH THE MIXTURE FULL RICH. DURING THE ENG INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE FOULED. DURING THE END TEST RUN, THE ENG FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AFTER THE PLUGS WERE CLEANED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N473FL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140D
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7125276
- Airframe hours: 5000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: West Mesa Flying Assoc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1985, 5 hours before
- Departed: 4AC, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 4AC, Coronado

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,174 total, 32 in this make and model, 975 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19851122057899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851122057899A), Nov 22, 1985: Piper PA28140, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Engine power loss on takeoff,forced landing in field. Spark plugs fouled from full rich mixture on previous flight.

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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