# NTSB FTW82FQA13: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N29665, Toadlena, NM, February 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1982, 22:00 local (Feb 18, 1982, 05:00 UTC)
- Place: Toadlena, NM
- Location: 36.2370° N, 108.8926° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Toadlena, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2370&lon=-108.8926&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FQA13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FQA13

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - light condition - night
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command
  - oxygen system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(anoxia/hypoxia), pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - weather condition - fog
  - terrain condition - high terrain

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT IN PIPER PA-28RT, N29665, WAS USING A CALL SIGN, N1104X, WHICH WAS THE REGISTRATION NUMBER OF A DESTROYED PA-32. HE WAS CLEARED TO CLIMB TO FL200, BUT AS HE CONTINUED, HIS SPEECH BECAME SLURRED. HE ACKNOWLEDGED AN ARTC INSTRUCTION TO CHECK HIS OXYGEN AND INSTRUMENTS AND TO DESCEND TO 15,000 FT, BUT HE DID NOT COMPLY. AFTER THAT, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO RADIO CALLS. A C-130 AIRCREW MADE A RENDEZVOUS (AT NIGHT), BUT DETECTED NO OCCUPANTS OR SIGNS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. N29665 WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOPILOT (WITH ALTITUDE HOLD), OXYGEN, AND AN AUTO-GEAR LOWERING SYSTEM. AFTER AIRBORNE ABOUT 3 HRS (TIME TO USE 1 FUEL TANK), THE PLANE BEGAN TO DESCEND AND WAS OBSERVED ENTERING A FOG BANK NEAR THE CRASH SITE. IT CRASHED WITH THE GEAR EXTENDED, ELEVATION 6250 FT MSL, FUEL SELECTOR TO THE EMPTY LEFT TANK (RIGHT TANK WAS FULL). THE PILOT WAS FOUND ALIVE, 6 1/2 HRS LATER. THE OXYGEN TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY, VALVE AT "OFF" POSITION, OXYGEN AVAILABLE FOR PILOT USE, BUT THE OXYGEN MASKS WERE STILL PACKAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29665](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29665-2012-10-19), registration cancelled 2012-10-19, S/N 28R-7931209, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R 7931209
- Airframe hours: 829
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Malcolm H. Lesuerur
- Registered owner: Malcolm H. Lesuerur
- Departed: TAOS, NM
- Destination: LAS VEGAS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,021 total, 81 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright

## 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 19820217004939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820217004939A), Feb 17, 1982: Piper PA28RT201T, Toadlena, NM, Substantial damage. Blacked out flying at FL200 without using oxygen. Autopilot slowed descent after fuel exhaustion. Not IFR rated.

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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