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June 26, 1995 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N3032R

Mimbres, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 26, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Mimbres, NM
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N3032R
Operator
Bartelett Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA260

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND THE SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND.

Full 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:50 MDT
Nearest AirportMimbres, Nm (Private) (0nm)
Runway16
Runway Length3800 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN3032R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBartelett Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 64 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data