# NTSB FTW97LA315: Piper PA-28-180, N9455J, Gila, NM, August 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 1997, 22:05 local (Aug 19, 1997, 04:05 UTC) - Place: Gila, NM - Coordinates: 32.959877, -108.569686 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9599&lon=-108.5697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20316 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA315 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20316/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA315 ## Probable cause the pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a ground swerve, and collision with vegetation (cactus) and a fence. Related factors were: the soft runway condition and surrounding obstructions (high vegetation and fence). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis 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.' ## Factual narrative 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." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9455J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9455J-1997-12-10), registration cancelled 1997-12-10, S/N 283568 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gary M. Cavasos - Registered owner: D.E.R. & S Flyers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1996 - Departed: PVT - Destination: IFP, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PVT, Private Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 165 total, 51 in this make and model, 121 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19970818044689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970818044689A), Aug 18, 1997: Piper PA28180, Gila, NM, Substantial damage. Tried night takeoff unlitstrip got into soft spot. Swerved into yucca and rocks. Ruptured fuel tank. Burned. (-23) pilot attempted to depart from an unlit dirt… 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.