# NTSB DEN88FA084: Piper PA-22, N3254Z, Angel Fire, NM, March 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1988, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Angel Fire, NM
- Coordinates: 36.389469, -105.269638 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3895&lon=-105.2696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17354
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17354/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA084

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - low compression (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,spark plug - leaded (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - inadequate
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - departure procedure - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - mixture - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT COULD NOT OUTCLIMB RAPIDLY RISING TERRAIN OFF THE END OF THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH TREES/TERRAIN. EXAM OF WRECKAGE DISCLOSED FOULED PLUGS FROM RICH MIXTURE AND LOW CYL COMPRESSION. EXAM OF AIRPORT INFO DID NOT DESCRIBE TOPOGRAPHY HAZARDS. PILOT INFORMATION INDICATED A LACK OF HIGH ALTITUDE AIRPORT OPERATIONS,MOUNTAIN TRAINING, AND/OR EXPERIENCE. AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY WAS INADEQUATE TO MEET THE FIRST CLIMB SEGMENT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME WAS ABOUT 8,500 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3254Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3254Z-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 22-7202, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-7202
- Airframe hours: 3438
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John D. Riddle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1987, 71 hours before
- Departed: AXX, ANGEL FIRE, NM
- Destination: CLOVIS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 243 total, 19 in this make and model, 163 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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