# NTSB DEN90LA006: Beech A36, N6029S, Las Vegas, NM, October 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1989, 14:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NM
- Coordinates: 35.590728, -105.220863 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5907&lon=-105.2209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA006

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, WHEN SHE FAILED TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT SPEED WITHIN THE APPROPRIATE TAKEOFF DISTANCE.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not possible
  - stall/mush

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING TAKEOFF FROM A 5000 FT LONG ASPHALT RUNWAY WITH CALM WIND AND 8800 FT DENSITY ALTITUDE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TWO TAKEOFFS BUT ABORTED BOTH WHEN THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT REACH TAKEOFF SPEED. THE PILOT SAID THAT PRIOR TO THE FIRST ATTEMPT 'DURING RUNUP DETONATION OCCURRED SO I ENRICHED THE MIXTURE. THEN I APPLIED POWER FOR TAKEOFF - FULL POWER - MIXTURE CONTROL OUT ABOUT 2 INCHES.' THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY SO SHE ABORTED. DURING THE SECOND TAKEOFF THE PILOT SAID SHE DID NOT ADVANCE THE THROTTLE ALL THE WAY. DESCRIBING THE THIRD ATTEMPT, THE PILOT SAID 'SPEED ON TAKE OFF ROLL IMPROVED - GOT UP TO 65 IAS - END OF RUNWAY CAME. PULLED OFF, STALL WARNING HORN, DROPPED NOSE - NO ADDED POWER - HIT THE GROUND & ROLLED THROUGH GRASS...' ACCORDING TO THE TAKEOFF CHART FOR THIS AIRCRAFT, THE TAKEOFF DISTANCE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT 2000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6029S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E1463
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Augustin, Nancy S.
- Departed: LVS
- Destination: 2V2, LONGMONT, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LVS, Las Vegas, runway 20, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,698 total, 1,200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVS

## 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 19891009039399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891009039399A), Oct 9, 1989: Beech A36, Las Vegas, NM, Substantial damage. Aborted two takeoffs due to lack of acceleration. Third try lifted, settle, crashed. 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.

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