# NTSB FTW82FQD11: Piper PA-28-140, N1884J, Mescalero, NM, May 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1982, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Mescalero, NM
- Location: 33.1346° N, 105.7999° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mescalero, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1346&lon=-105.7999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71670
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FQD11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71670/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FQD11

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

TWO WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FLYING EASTBOUND AT LOW ALTITUDE ALONG A HIGHWAY, THEN BEGIN A CLIMBING TURN OVER SHARPLY RISING TERRAIN. AFTER COMPLETING ABOUT 90 DEGREES OF TURN, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TOPS OF TREES ABOUT 30 FT AGL. ABOUT 12 PACES BEYOND THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A SECOND GROUP OF TREES. THE SECOND IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 6 TO 8 FT ABOVE THE FIRST. ABOUT HALF OF THE RIGHT OUTBOARD WING WAS SEVERED AND REMAINED IN THE SECOND GROUP OF TREES. FROM THERE, THE PLANE DESCENDED THROUGH OTHER TREES AND CAME TO REST ABOUT 20 PACES BEYOND THE SECOND IMPACT POINT. PROPELLER SLASH MARKS WERE FOUND IN THE TREES. A CHECK OF THE FUEL SYSTEM AND A PARTIAL TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURES. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 8800 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1884J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1884J-1984-07-03), registration cancelled 1984-07-03, S/N 28-24328 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-24328
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J L Thompson
- Registered owner: J L Thompson
- Departed: ALMAGARDO, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,162 total, 12 in this make and model, 6,150 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 144 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820502012929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820502012929A), May 2, 1982: Piper PA28140, Mescalero, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Began climb after low pass over highway below surrounding mountains. Unable to outclimb rising terrain. Hit trees.

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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