# NTSB DEN88FA064: Piper PA-28-181, N8417F, Roswell, NM, February 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1988, 14:58 local (21:58 UTC)
- Place: Roswell, NM
- Location: 33.3734° N, 104.5294° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Roswell, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3734&lon=-104.5294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17352
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17352/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA064

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8417F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287790245
- Airframe hours: 2825
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Executive Aircraft Int'L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1987, 87 hours before
- Departed: 4AC, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: ROW, ROSWELL, NM
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 122 total, 12 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft broken
- Observed at: ROW

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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