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June 30, 1985 · American AA-1 · N5984L
Gallup, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Gallup, NM
Aircraft
American AA-1
Tail Number
N5984L
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN85LA176
DURING A X-COUNTRY FLT FROM LOS ANGELES, CA TO TULSA, OK, THE PLT MADE AN EN ROUTE STOP AT GALLUP, NM. THE FUEL TANKS WERE FULLY SERVICED & THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH A PASSENGER & APRX 50 LBS OF TOOLS & BAGGAGE ON BOARD. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB MORE THAN 75 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. BOTH HE AND THE PASSENGER (HIS 10 YR OLD SON) REPORTED THE ENG SEEMED TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE HIGH DENSITY ALT CAUSED A LACK OF CLIMB PERFORMANCE. HE FLEW THE ACFT BETWEEN RIDGE TOPS & LOWERED THE FLAPS IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN ALT. HOWEVER, ABOUT 3 MI FROM THE APRT, THE ACFT DESCENDED & HIT THE GROUND. DURING IMPACT, THE PLT'S SEAT BELT FAILED. HE RECEIVED SEVERE FACIAL INJURIES & BROKEN RIBS. THE DENSITY ALT AT GALLUP WAS COMPUTED TO BE 9600 FT.
Full Narrative
DURING A X-COUNTRY FLT FROM LOS ANGELES, CA TO TULSA, OK, THE PLT MADE AN EN ROUTE STOP AT GALLUP, NM. THE FUEL TANKS WERE FULLY SERVICED & THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH A PASSENGER & APRX 50 LBS OF TOOLS & BAGGAGE ON BOARD. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB MORE THAN 75 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. BOTH HE AND THE PASSENGER (HIS 10 YR OLD SON) REPORTED THE ENG SEEMED TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE HIGH DENSITY ALT CAUSED A LACK OF CLIMB PERFORMANCE. HE FLEW THE ACFT BETWEEN RIDGE TOPS & LOWERED THE FLAPS IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN ALT. HOWEVER, ABOUT 3 MI FROM THE APRT, THE ACFT DESCENDED & HIT THE GROUND. DURING IMPACT, THE PLT'S SEAT BELT FAILED. HE RECEIVED SEVERE FACIAL INJURIES & BROKEN RIBS. THE DENSITY ALT AT GALLUP WAS COMPUTED TO BE 9600 FT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 MDT
Nearest AirportSenator Clarke (3nm S)
Runway24
Runway Length6300 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAmerican AA-1
Tail NumberN5984L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 10 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:15
Weather SourceWFAC