On July 6, 1986, a Piper PA-38 (registration N2587B) operated by Harry Abernathy was involved in an aviation accident near Cimarron, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during low-level flight operations at high density altitude, resulting in a stall and collision with terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot performing a checkout flight at high elevation buzzed the area before stalling into trees due to density altitude.
What happened
The pilot received a checkout in the aircraft prior to the accident and then flew to the Philmont Scout Ranch, which is located at approximately 9,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) elevation. Ground witnesses stated that the aircraft was buzzing the area and flew into an area of high terrain. The witnesses stated the aircraft stalled into the top of the trees. The density altitude was calculated to be 13,530 feet.
Findings
The density altitude was a critical factor in this incident, as the high elevation significantly reduced aircraft performance. The pilot's decision to operate in such conditions without adequate margin for error likely contributed to the stall.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during low-level flight operations at high density altitude, resulting in a stall and collision with terrain.