# NTSB FTW82FQA19: Piper PA-16, N5648H, Albuquerque, NM, May 11, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1982, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: 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: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69721
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FQA19
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69721/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FQA19

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

BOTH OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE RATED PILOTS AND HAD JUST PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT. THEY WERE FERRYING THE PLANE FROM NEW YORK STATE TO CALIFORNIA. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, HE LIFTED OFF NEAR THE MID-POINT OF THE RUNWAY AND HELD A FLAT ATTITUDE TO GAIN AIRSPEED. HE FELT THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH CLIMB DEVELOPING TO GET OVER TREES AND TURNED LEFT 15 DEGREES. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PLANE TOOK OFF AT A RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED AND NEVER SEEMED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER TURNING, THE PLANE MUSHED INTO STEADILY RISING TERRAIN. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE CONTROLS REVEALED THAT THE FUEL PRIMER WAS IN AN UNLOCKED POSITION. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A RICH MIXTURE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 6800 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5648H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5648H-2023-05-02), registration cancelled 2023-05-02, S/N 16-259, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-16
- Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16-259
- Airframe hours: 1529
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-CTC 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Charles A. Sweet
- Registered owner: Charles A. Sweet
- Departed: 4CR, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: FLAGSTAFF, AZ
- Airport: 4CR, Coronado, runway 17, 4,020 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 930 total, 117 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ

## 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 19820511015379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820511015379A), May 11, 1982: Piper PA16, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Aircraft was airborne prematurely. Failed to climb. Mixture control was discovered not locked in.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.