Piper PA 24 N7742P

Summary

On 20 October 2019 at about 14:45 local time, a Piper PA 24 registered N7742P, operated by Schenk Richard J, was involved in an accident near Angel Fire, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 October 2019 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Angel Fire, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Angel Fire (AXX)

Coordinates

36.3931, -105.2869

Aircraft

Piper PA 24

Registration

N7742P

Category

Airplane

Year built

1961

Engines

1

Operator

Schenk Richard J

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Angel Fire → Great Bend

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR20FA008

2 people died.

The airplane’s degraded performance due to high-density altitude and gusting wind conditions, which resulted in its inability to maintain altitude during the initial takeoff climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience with high altitude flying and his decision to depart in high-density altitude and gusting wind conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger were departing on a personal flight from the high elevation airport. Friends of the pilot reported that this was his first time flying into the airport and that he wanted to depart to the south and head back toward the airport because of the wind and to gain altitude. An eyewitness who was driving saw the airplane flying from the airport as it appeared to be struggling to remain in flight. The airplane turned to fly over the road and toward the eyewitness, who thought it was preparing to land. As the airplane approached, it pitched up and turned to the west to avoid power lines crossing the road. The airplane impacted trees, a building and terrain, sustaining substantial damage. Several other witnesses saw the airplane as is departed the airport and described the airplane as unstable. A security camera, located along the road, captured the airplane flying wings level with the landing gear extended, over the road about 50 ft above ground level. As the airplane approached the light poles and power lines, the airplane banked right and traveled behind trees and buildings out of view. It is likely that the pilot was maneuvering the airplane to land on the road. The calculated density altitude about the time of the accident was 9,360 ft, which would have reduced the airplane's climb performance. Wind was from the west at 9 knots gusting to 21 knots. After the airplane departed the airport to the south toward rising terrain, the airplane turned east over a road, changing the direction of wind to a tailwind, which would have also reduced the airplane’s climb performance by decreasing the airplane’s airspeed. The airplane was also topped with fuel which likely put the airplane near its maximum allowable weight for takeoff. Given these conditions, it is unlikely that the airplane was capable of clearing the rising terrain on the day of the accident. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, airplane damage signatures, witness accounts, and a video indicated that the engine was producing power at the time of the accident. Medical evidence showed that the pilot had heart disease, which placed him at increased risk of a sudden impairing or incapacitating cardiac event. However, operational evidence (such as the pilot’s maneuvering to avoid obstacles and attempt to navigate to a suitable landing site) is inconsistent with sudden impairment or incapacitation; therefore, it is unlikely that the pilot’s heart disease contributed to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.