# NTSB DEN90LA010: Piper PA-32R-300, N3166Q, Albuquerque, NM, October 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1989, 13:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.059326, -106.620063 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0593&lon=-106.6201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17860/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA010

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT, HIS FAILURE TO USE THE RECOMMENDED FLAP EXTENSION, HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE THE AUTOMATIC GEAR EXTENSION SPEED OR USE THE OVERRIDE FEATURE, WHICH ALLOWED THE GEAR TO EXTEND (PRECLUDING THE ABILITY TO CLIMB), AND THE POWER LINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear retraction - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - climb - not possible
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF FROM A 4010 FT RWY AT AN ELEVATION OF 5280 FT, THE PLT DID NOT USE 10 DEG OF FLAPS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE FLT MANUAL. HE SAID LIFT-OFF WAS AT 90 KTS & HE RAISED THE LANDING GEAR, BUT AFTER THE ACFT CLEARED TREES, HE NOTED THE SPEED WAS STILL AT 90 KTS. THE PLANE STOPPED CLIMBING & SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK A POWER LINE. IT THEN SETTLED TO THE GROUND WITH THE LANDING GEAR EXTENDED. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A BACKUP GEAR EXTENSION SYSTEM, WHICH WOULD AUTOMATICALLY EXTEND THE GEAR BELOW A GIVEN SPEED, EXCEPT WHEN THE OVERRIDE FUNCTION WAS SELECTED. THE AUTOMATIC EXTENSION SPEED WAS 81 KTS AT SEA LEVEL, BUT INCREASED IN A STRAIGHT LINE VARIATION TO 100 KTS AT 10,000 FT. DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE AIRPORT WAS ABOUT 7000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3166Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3166Q-1995-09-08), registration cancelled 1995-09-08, S/N 32R7780296 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7780296
- Airframe hours: 2974
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alpine Flight Center
- Registered owner: Frank Arlotti
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 21, 1989, 75 hours before
- Departed: 4AC
- Destination: EMT, EL MONTE, CA
- Airport: 4AC, Coronado, runway 17, 4,010 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 254 total, 31 in this make and model, 204 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 6 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 19891015040409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891015040409A), Oct 15, 1989: Piper PA32R300, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Took off with zero flaps and auto gear stayed down due slow climb speed. Settled,hit wires and ground off airport.

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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