# NTSB DEN86LA190: Piper PA-38, N2587B, Cimarron, NM, July 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1986, 13:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Cimarron, NM
- Location: 36.5068° N, 104.9083° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cimarron, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5068&lon=-104.9083&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17005
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17005/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA190

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - deteriorated
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT RECEIVED A CHECKOUT IN THE ACFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THEN FLEW TO THE PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 9,000 FOOT MSL ELEVATION. GROUND WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS 'BUZZING THE AREA' AND FLEW INTO AN AREA OF HIGH TERRAIN. THE WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT STALLED INTO THE TOP OF THE TREES. THE DENSITY ALT WAS CALCULATED TO BE 13,530 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2587B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2587B-1989-01-04), registration cancelled 1989-01-04, S/N 3879A0134 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0134
- Airframe hours: 1322
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harry Abernathy, doing business as Aero Monte Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 10, 1986, 49 hours before
- Departed: RTN, RATON, NM
- Destination: RTN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 104 total, 104 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RTN

## 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 19860706030239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860706030239A), Jul 6, 1986: Piper PA38112, Cimarron, NM, Substantial damage. Pilot stalled aircraft in an attempt to clear high terrain. Density altitude calculated to have been very high.

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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