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NTSB Report
May 2, 1982 · Piper PA-28-140 · N1884J
Mescalero, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 2, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Mescalero, NM
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N1884J
Operator
J L Thompson
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW82FQD11
TWO WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FLYING EASTBOUND AT LOW ALTITUDE ALONG A HIGHWAY, THEN BEGIN A CLIMBING TURN OVER SHARPLY RISING TERRAIN. AFTER COMPLETING ABOUT 90 DEGREES OF TURN, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TOPS OF TREES ABOUT 30 FT AGL. ABOUT 12 PACES BEYOND THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A SECOND GROUP OF TREES. THE SECOND IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 6 TO 8 FT ABOVE THE FIRST. ABOUT HALF OF THE RIGHT OUTBOARD WING WAS SEVERED AND REMAINED IN THE SECOND GROUP OF TREES. FROM THERE, THE PLANE DESCENDED THROUGH OTHER TREES AND CAME TO REST ABOUT 20 PACES BEYOND THE SECOND IMPACT POINT. PROPELLER SLASH MARKS WERE FOUND IN THE TREES. A CHECK OF THE FUEL SYSTEM AND A PARTIAL TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURES. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 8800 FT.
Full Narrative
TWO WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FLYING EASTBOUND AT LOW ALTITUDE ALONG A HIGHWAY, THEN BEGIN A CLIMBING TURN OVER SHARPLY RISING TERRAIN. AFTER COMPLETING ABOUT 90 DEGREES OF TURN, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TOPS OF TREES ABOUT 30 FT AGL. ABOUT 12 PACES BEYOND THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A SECOND GROUP OF TREES. THE SECOND IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 6 TO 8 FT ABOVE THE FIRST. ABOUT HALF OF THE RIGHT OUTBOARD WING WAS SEVERED AND REMAINED IN THE SECOND GROUP OF TREES. FROM THERE, THE PLANE DESCENDED THROUGH OTHER TREES AND CAME TO REST ABOUT 20 PACES BEYOND THE SECOND IMPACT POINT. PROPELLER SLASH MARKS WERE FOUND IN THE TREES. A CHECK OF THE FUEL SYSTEM AND A PARTIAL TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURES. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 8800 FT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN1884J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJ L Thompson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point14 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg