# NTSB DEN86LA237: Piper PA-38, N24151, Santa Fe, NM, August 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1986, 18:15 local (Aug 24, 1986, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Santa Fe, NM
- Location: 35.6870° N, 105.9378° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Santa Fe, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6870&lon=-105.9378&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17040
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17040/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA237

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING THROUGH A MOUNTAIN PASS AT AN ALT OF 1,000 FT AGL, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFT WIND CURRENTS. THE ACFT ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLABLE DESCENT AND IMPACTED IN AN ALPINE MEADOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24151](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24151-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 38-79A1096, built 1979 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A1096
- Airframe hours: 3034
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arnold Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1986, 40 hours before
- Departed: LOS ALAMOS, NM
- Destination: LBL, LIBERAL, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 149 total, 88 in this make and model, 118 as pilot in command, 128 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAF, 20 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 19860823041859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860823041859A), Aug 23, 1986: Piper PA38112, Santa Fe, NM, Destroyed. Pilot attempted to fly through a mountain pass with high density altitude. Unable to climb. Landed in a clearing.

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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