# NTSB FTW81FA124: Cessna 401, N441RS, Albuquerque, NM, July 22, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 22, 1981
- Place: Albuquerque, NM · ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FA124
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA124

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2540  81/7/22    ALBUQUERQUE,NM      CESSNA 401          CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1230                    N441RS              PX-  1  0  0  FERRY                     33, 6650 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            1020 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ALAMEDA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          ALBUQUERQUE,NM              CHESAPEAKE,VA                SANTA ROSA,NM
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISUNDERSTANDING OF ORDERS OR INSTRUCTIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED WRONG RUNWAY RELATIVE TO EXISTING WIND
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      94
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          340                                                       7
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PLT THOUGHT FERRY PERMIT PROHIBITED USE OF LONGER RWY DUE POPULATED AREA.DA 9000FT.UPHILL GRADIENT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N441RS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Alameda

## 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 19810722043709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810722043709A), Jul 22, 1981: Cessna 401, Albuquerque, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Takeoff attempted crosswind. High density altitude without full throttle. Ran off end runway into drainage ditch.

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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