# NTSB FTW95LA260: Piper PA-28R-200, N3032R, Mimbres, NM, June 26, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 1995, 13:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Mimbres, NM - Coordinates: 33.039962, -107.91912 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0400&lon=-107.9191&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19469 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA260 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19469/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA260 ## Probable cause INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND THE SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis WHILE ON A VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT MADE AN UNPLANNED STOP AT A PRIVATE AIRPORT SO A PASSENGER COULD USE FACILITIES. THE RUNWAY SURFACE WAS HARD PACKED DIRT BORDERED BY GRASS AND ALSO SERVED AS THE COMMUNITY GOLF COURSE. ON TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT USED THE GRASS AREA BESIDE THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A DITCH. THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 5,888 FEET MSL, AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 90 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT RESULTING IN A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 9,300 FEET. ACCORDING TO CALCULATIONS DONE FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS 216 POUNDS OVER ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT FOR THE RUNWAY USED DUE TO FIELD LENGTH LIMITS. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 1995, at 1350 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 200, N3032R, sustained substantial damage during takeoff roll at a private airstrip near Mimbres, New Mexico. The pilot and one passenger received no injuries and one passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was on file for this personal flight from Las Vegas, New Mexico, to Nogales, Mexico. According to the pilot, he made an unscheduled stop due to his daughter's physiological need. He said he spotted the uncharted airstrip, circled several times and landed at 1340. A pilot witness from the County Sheriff's Department said the aircraft was attempting to takeoff from the private airstrip, which is also the community golf course. He said the pilot was not using the dirt runway but the softer grass area beside the runway. The witness stated the airstrip elevation is about 5,888 feet above mean seal level (msl), is oriented north and south, and is about 4,500 feet in length. He said the aircraft was attempting takeoff to the south with the wind being from 280 degrees at 12 to 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots and a temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. According to both the pilot and witness, the aircraft encountered a ditch during the takeoff roll, folded the nose landing gear and collapsed the right main landing gear. Calculated density altitude, based on a temperature of 90 degrees, was approximately 9,300 feet msl. The FAA inspector who went to the scene weighed the contents of the aircraft. As a result, it was calculated, due to the airport and environmental conditions, that the aircraft was 216 pounds over maximum gross takeoff weight for that airport based on field length. According to the pilot, he estimated the temperature to be 80 degrees, and the wind to be from 180 degrees at 8 knots. In addition, the pilot thought he was taking off to the east rather than to the south. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3032R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3032R-2003-04-09), registration cancelled 2003-04-09, S/N 28R-35657, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-35657 - Airframe hours: 3200 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bartelett Aviation - Registered owner: Jeannette Frazier - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1995, 80 hours before - Departed: LVS, LAS VEGAS, NM - Destination: NOGALES - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: NONE, Mimbres, Nm (Private), runway 16, 3,800 × ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,081 total, 55 in this make and model, 918 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 19950626014889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950626014889A), Jun 26, 1995: Piper PA28R200, Mimbres, NM, Substantial damage. Landed Private strip for comfort stop. Folded nose gear on grass takeoff. 216 lbs over gross for runway length. ## Other investigations on N3032R (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 LAX01FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01FA036), Nov 5, 2000: Piper PA28-200 (N3032R), Teec Nos Pos, AZ, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: In-flight loss of control resulting in airframe structural failure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadvertant visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. 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.