FTW97LA315

The pilot said that during a flight, the passenger became ill, and he landed at a private airstrip. After the passenger felt better, the pilot elected to takeoff at dusk from the unlit airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered soft terrain, veered left, and the left wing struck a cactus and a fence. The airplane then went back onto the runway area and exited the other side before being maneuvered back onto the runway. During the sequence, a fuel cell in the left wing ruptured, and a fire erupted, resulting in extensive damage. Subsequent investigation by the New Mexico State Police showed the pilot's blood alcohol content was '0.203.'

On August 18, 1997, at 2205 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180 airplane, N9455J, owned and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged by a post impact fire after impacting terrain following a loss of control on takeoff roll near Gila, New Mexico. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The personal flight was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91 during night visual meteorological conditions, and a VFR flight plan was filed for the flight.

The pilot reported to the New Mexico State Police Department that during the take off roll the airplane exited the unlit dirt runway when "the aircraft's wheels went into a soft portion of the runway." The airplane impacted vegetation and terrain that ruptured the fuel cell in the left wing. A witness, who observed the accident site after the accident, described the vegetation as mesquite bushes and yucca plants. The witness also stated that the left wing clipped a barbed wire fence which is located to the left of the runway centerline. The airplane continued back onto the runway and exited the other side of the runway where it encountered additional vegetation and rocks. The pilot reported that he was able to maneuver the airplane back onto the runway where it came to rest. A fire had initiated in the area of the left wing fuel cell during the accident sequence. The pilot and his passenger evacuated the airplane without injury.

The airplane's left wing was destroyed as result of the post impact fire.

The pilot reported the weather as clear skies, visibility 10 miles and calm winds.

Investigation by the New Mexico State Police Department revealed that the pilot was intoxicated at the time of the accident. The legal blood alcohol content in the State of New Mexico is "0.08." The pilot's blood alcohol content was recorded at "0.204" and "0.203."