# NTSB DEN88LA065: Piper PA-28-140, N32982, Ruidoso, NM, March 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1988, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Ruidoso, NM
- Coordinates: 33.349948, -105.679824 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3499&lon=-105.6798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17445
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17445/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA065

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall/mush
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT AND TWO PAX ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF AT OR NEAR MAX GWT AT A DENSITY ALT OF 6,500 FT MSL. FULL FUEL HAD BEEN LOADED IN THE RIGHT TANK AND THE PLT INDICATED THAT THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY. RWY 24 WAS IN USE WITH A 70 DEGREE X-WIND REPORTED FROM 310 DEGREES AT 14, GUSTING TO 32 KTS. THE TWR OPERATOR SAID THAT ON TAKEOFF 'THE AIRCRAFT LIFTED OFF THEN WENT NOSE HIGH.' THE ACFT WENT OUT OF SIGHT OFF THE END OF RWY. TWICE, THE RIGHT WING DROPPED TOWARD THE RWY AS THE NOSE WENT HIGH. WITNESSES REPORT THAT THE ACFT NEVER CLIMBED ABOVE 25 FT AGL. THE ACFT STRUCK THE TOP WIRE OF THE ARPT FENCE AT FOUR FT AGL PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE ACFT STRUCK TREES BEYOND THE END OF RWY 24 AND BOTH WINGS SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32982](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32982-2012-10-02), registration cancelled 2012-10-02, S/N 28-7525133, built 1974 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287525133
- Airframe hours: 2682
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Latham, Woody
- Registered owner: William B Rich
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 22, 1988, 14 hours before
- Departed: SRR, RUIDOSO, NM
- Destination: T67, FORT WORTH, TX
- Airport: SRR, Sierra Blanca Regional, runway 24, 8,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 199 total, 77 in this make and model, 178 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 14 knots, gusting 32
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRR, 1 nm away

## 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 19880313005129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880313005129A), Mar 13, 1988: Piper PA28140, Ruidoso, NM, Substantial damage. Strong crosswind and high density altitude prevented aircraft from gaining altitude on takeoff. Hit trees.

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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