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NTSB Report
August 29, 1988 · Piper PA-28-140 · N5873U
Rawlins, WY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 29, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Rawlins, WY
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N5873U
Operator
Smith Catherine
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN88LA195
PLT AND PAX WERE ON A FLIGHT FROM MILWAUKEE, WI, TO LAS VEGAS, NV. THE PLT MADE AN UNSCHEDULED STOP AT RAWLINS DUE TO POOR VIS AND LOW FUEL. THE AIRPLANE WAS LOADED WITH SUIT CASES, CAMPING GEAR, COOLERS AND FULL FUEL. THE PILOT AND PAX COMBINED WEIGHT WAS APPROXIMATELY 395 LBS. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM RAWLINS THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT BUT ABORTED DUE TO A HIGH DENSITY ALT. THE PLT DEPARTED THE NEXT MORNING AND ATTAINED A 100 FT PER MINUTE RATE OF CLIMB. THE PLT STATED THE ENG 'STALLED' DUE TO 'A LACK OF HORSEPOWER TO HANDLE THE WT OF THE ACFT AT HIGH ALT.' THE ACFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING THE OFF ARPT LANDING. THE DENSITY ALT WAS CALCULATED TO BE APPROX 7427 FT.
Full Narrative
PLT AND PAX WERE ON A FLIGHT FROM MILWAUKEE, WI, TO LAS VEGAS, NV. THE PLT MADE AN UNSCHEDULED STOP AT RAWLINS DUE TO POOR VIS AND LOW FUEL. THE AIRPLANE WAS LOADED WITH SUIT CASES, CAMPING GEAR, COOLERS AND FULL FUEL. THE PILOT AND PAX COMBINED WEIGHT WAS APPROXIMATELY 395 LBS. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM RAWLINS THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT BUT ABORTED DUE TO A HIGH DENSITY ALT. THE PLT DEPARTED THE NEXT MORNING AND ATTAINED A 100 FT PER MINUTE RATE OF CLIMB. THE PLT STATED THE ENG 'STALLED' DUE TO 'A LACK OF HORSEPOWER TO HANDLE THE WT OF THE ACFT AT HIGH ALT.' THE ACFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING THE OFF ARPT LANDING. THE DENSITY ALT WAS CALCULATED TO BE APPROX 7427 FT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:15 MDT
Nearest AirportRawlins Municipal (0nm N)
Runway22
Runway Length7000 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN5873U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSmith Catherine
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 34 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time12:25
Weather SourceWFAC