# NTSB DEN91LA031: Piper PA-28-160, N6031W, Deming, NM, January 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1991, 17:00 local (Jan 5, 1991, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Deming, NM
- Coordinates: 32.260272, -107.750869 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2603&lon=-107.7509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18064
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18064/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA031

## Probable cause

PILOT FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB RESULTING IN A STALL AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.  A FACTOR WAS:  THE FAILURE OF THE CFI TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE STUDENT PILOT.

## 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
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
- Nose over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE CFI STATED THAT DURING THE SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF, IT FELT LIKE THE STUDENT WAS ON THE FLIGHT CONTROLS.  HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND THE AIRCRAFT INADVERTENTLY STALLED.  THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND BEFORE RECOVERY COULD BE EFFECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6031W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6031W-1995-12-15), registration cancelled 1995-12-15, S/N 2820031 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-20031
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Charlie Byrne
- Registered owner: Charlie Byrne
- Departed: DMN, DEMING, NM
- Airport: By-Ag-Avn, runway 9, 5,280 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 289 total, 53 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910104000269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910104000269A), Jan 4, 1991: Piper PA28160, Deming, NM, Substantial damage. Demo soft field takeoff. CFI rotated nose high with student on control. Caused a stall. Impacted dirt embankment.

## Other investigations on N6031W (3)

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.

- [NTSB FTW66D0432](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66D0432), Nov 19, 1965: Piper PA-28 (N6031W), Littlefield, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK65X1379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1379), Feb 1, 1965: Piper PA28 (N6031W), Petersburg, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X4175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X4175), Sep 27, 1964: Piper PA28 (N6031W), Lubbock, TX, substantial damage

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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