# NTSB DEN88LA008: Piper PA-28-140, N530FL, Lordsburg, NM, October 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1987, 18:50 local (Oct 12, 1987, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Lordsburg, NM
- Coordinates: 32.340503, -108.700614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3405&lon=-108.7006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17403
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17403/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA008

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE REDUCED THE THROTTLE DURING THE DESCENT TO TRAFFIC PATTERN ALT AT THE DUSTY ACRES ARPT AND WHEN HE PUSHED THE THROTTLE IN, THE THROTTLE CABLE BROKE. THE ENG WENT TO IDLE POWER AND QUIT. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A GRAVEL ROAD. DURING THE ROLLOUT, THE ACFT STRUCK A FENCE, VEERED TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. PLT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE AIRCRAFT RECORDS THEREFORE THE DATES OF MAINTENANCE INSPECTION ARE UNKNOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent
  - throttle/power lever,cable - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N530FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N530FL-1988-12-15), registration cancelled 1988-12-15, S/N 287125359 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287125359
- Airframe hours: 3316
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Coker
- Registered owner: Medlin Henry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: COTTON CITY, NM
- Airport: Dusty Acres

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 617 total, 55 in this make and model, 593 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19871011059589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871011059589A), Oct 11, 1987: Piper PA28140, Lordsburg, NM, Substantial damage. Throttle cable broke while approaching airport. Engine went to idle. Hit a post while landing on a road. Overturned

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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