# NTSB DEN89LA015: Piper PA-22-150, N7258D, Edgewood, NM, October 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1988, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Edgewood, NM
- Coordinates: 35.079788, -106.169967 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0798&lon=-106.1700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17630
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17630/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA015

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD JUST BEEN OVERHAULED & A NEW PROP (HARTZELL MODEL 7636D-4) HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN PLACE OF THE OLD PROP. THE PLT RPRTD THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT FAILED TO CLIMB, ALTHOUGH HE WAS USING FULL POWER. HE SAID HE HEADED FOR LOWER TERRAIN & CIRCLED UNTIL ALTITUDE LOSS WAS EXCESSIVE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED AS HE WAS TURNING INTO THE WIND TO LAND. THE ACFT HAD BEEN SVCD WITH A FULL LOAD OF FUEL. THE DENSITY ALT WAS ABOUT 9000'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7258D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7258D), registered now, S/N 22-5085, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- 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: 225085
- Airframe hours: 2127
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rigsby, David C.
- Registered owner: David C Rigsby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 1988
- Departed: NM51
- Destination: NN51
- Airport: NM51, Sandia Airpark, runway 27, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,012 total, 741 in this make and model, 952 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19881014048429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881014048429A), Oct 14, 1988: Piper PA22150, Edgewood, NM, Substantial damage. First flight after overhaul. Believed engine power low, landed off airport. Failed to allow for density altitude.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.