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NTSB Report
July 15, 1988 · Piper PA-28-140 · N1578J
Gallup, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 15, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Gallup, NM
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N1578J
Operator
Arnold Wesley C
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN88LA158
THE PRIVATE PLT & HIS WIFE WERE STARTING A CROSS-COUNTRY PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION FLT. THE ACFT WAS LOADED TO NEAR MAX GWT, & THE FSS HAD REPORTED A DENSITY ALT OF 9,600 FT TO THE PLT. AFTER TAKEOFF ON A 6,300 X 100 FT, ASPHALT RWY, THE PLT SAID THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT AT 300-400 FT AGL. THE ACFT LOST ALT TO 75-100 FT AGL. THE ACFT MAINTAINED THIS ALT FOR APRX 2 MI OVER RISING TERRAIN. THE PLT MADE A 180 DEG RT TURN TO AVOID A RESIDENTIAL AREA. HE STATED THAT THE TERRAIN SEEMED TO RISE FASTER THAN THE ACFT COULD CLIMB & THE ACFT CRASH- LANDED. THE CRASH OCCURRED WITHIN 3 MI OF THE APRT.
Full Narrative
THE PRIVATE PLT & HIS WIFE WERE STARTING A CROSS-COUNTRY PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION FLT. THE ACFT WAS LOADED TO NEAR MAX GWT, & THE FSS HAD REPORTED A DENSITY ALT OF 9,600 FT TO THE PLT. AFTER TAKEOFF ON A 6,300 X 100 FT, ASPHALT RWY, THE PLT SAID THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT AT 300-400 FT AGL. THE ACFT LOST ALT TO 75-100 FT AGL. THE ACFT MAINTAINED THIS ALT FOR APRX 2 MI OVER RISING TERRAIN. THE PLT MADE A 180 DEG RT TURN TO AVOID A RESIDENTIAL AREA. HE STATED THAT THE TERRAIN SEEMED TO RISE FASTER THAN THE ACFT COULD CLIMB & THE ACFT CRASH- LANDED. THE CRASH OCCURRED WITHIN 3 MI OF THE APRT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:08 MDT
Nearest AirportGALLUP (0nm N)
Runway6
Runway Length6300 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN1578J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorArnold Wesley C
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 15 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:12
Weather SourceWFAC