# NTSB DEN88LA040: Beech A36, N27LH, Angel Fire, NM, December 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1987, 17:20 local (Dec 23, 1987, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Angel Fire, NM
- Coordinates: 36.389781, -105.269142 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3898&lon=-105.2691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17428
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17428/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA040

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT AND FIVE PAX WERE RETURNING HOME FROM A SKIING TRIP. DURING TAKEOFF THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A LEFT CROSSWIND FROM 270 DEGREES, AT AN ESTIMATED 40 KNOTS. THE PLT LIFTED OFF EARLY, THEN THE WIND PULLED. THE ACFT STALLED AND IMPACTED RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY, DAMAGING THE MAIN GEAR AND WINGS. THE ACFT CAME TO REST NOSE DOWN BESIDE THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27LH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27LH), registered now, S/N E-375, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-375
- Airframe hours: 2719
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Goodknight Cattle Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1986
- Destination: 92F, CHATTANOOGA, OK
- Airport: E91, Angel Fire, runway 35, 6,700 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 2,507 total, 1,667 in this make and model, 2,407 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 270° at 25 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19871222070979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871222070979A), Dec 22, 1987: Beech A36, Angel Fire, NM, Substantial damage. Hit by crosswind. Lifted off early. Stalled. Settled back on edge of runway. Wheel caught grass. Ground looped.

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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