ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 355368
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| Date: | Monday 18 August 1997 |
| Time: | 22:05 LT |
| Type: |  Piper PA-28-180 |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N9455J |
| MSN: | |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-320-E2A |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Gila, NM -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | (KPVT) |
| Bullhead City, AZ (KIFP) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot said that during a flight, the passenger became ill, and he landed at a private airstrip. After the passenger felt better, the pilot elected to takeoff at dusk from the unlit airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered soft terrain, veered left, and the left wing struck a cactus and a fence. The airplane then went back onto the runway area and exited the other side before being maneuvered back onto the runway. During the sequence, a fuel cell in the left wing ruptured, and a fire erupted, resulting in extensive damage. Subsequent investigation by the New Mexico State Police showed the pilot's blood alcohol content was '0.203.'
Probable Cause: the pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a ground swerve, and collision with vegetation (cactus) and a fence. Related factors were: the soft runway condition and surrounding obstructions (high vegetation and fence).
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB FTW97LA315
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Mar-2024 11:17 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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