# NTSB FTW80DA125: Piper PA-28, N1344H, El Rito, NM, September 28, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 28, 1980
- Place: El Rito, NM · EL RITO, NM
- Location: 36.3326° N, 106.1741° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Rito, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3326&lon=-106.1741&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 4, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80DA125
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DA125

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2508  80/9/28    EL RITO,NM          PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 29, 218
        TIME - 1730                    N1344H              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 116 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ALBUQUERQUE,NM              RETURN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: BUZZING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1344H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1344H), registered now, S/N 28-7790308, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19800928048689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800928048689A), Sep 28, 1980: Piper PA28181, El Rito, NM, Destroyed. Buzzed friend's house at tree-top level. Prop struck lone tree. Airplane stalled into wooded area.

## Other investigations on N1344H (1)

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 DEN77FQA52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FQA52), Sep 4, 1977: Piper PA-28 (N1344H), Aztec, NM, 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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