# NTSB DEN88FA141: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N29318, Capitan, NM, June 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1988, 09:36 local (15:36 UTC)
- Place: Capitan, NM
- Location: 33.5392° N, 105.5982° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Capitan, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5392&lon=-105.5982&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17379
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17379/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA141

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29318](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29318-2015-04-24), registration cancelled 2015-04-24, S/N 28R-7931196, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7931196
- Airframe hours: 1214
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Midland Big Chief Supply, Inc.
- Registered owner: Midland Big Chief Supply Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 1988, 103 hours before
- Departed: SAF, SANTA FE, NM
- Destination: MAF, MIDLAND, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,100 total, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day

## 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 19880627024139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880627024139A), Jun 27, 1988: Piper PA28RT201T, Capitan, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Was advised of low ceiling and thunderstorms en route. Went anyway and flew into trees on a cloud obscured mountain

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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