FlightFinder
Check my flight
Casualties unknown

Touch-and-Go Landing Attempt Ends in Runway Departure and Impact with Obstacles (N7521W)

Edgewood, NM, US

On July 31, 1999, a Piper PA-28-180 (registration N7521W) operated by Wayne E. Huyler was involved in an aviation accident near Edgewood, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's excessive rotation during takeoff, resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush. Factors were the pilot's lack of recent flight experience, and the high density altitude.. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During a touch-and-go landing, the pilot rotated at 65 mph but only reached 15 ft altitude; after leveling the nose, the airplane impacted the runway, then struck landing lights, a dirt berm, and a fence.

Accident Sequence

The pilot departed the runway intending to perform touch and go landings. During takeoff, he rotated the airplane at a speed of 65 mph. Looking outside the cockpit, he observed that the airplane was only 15 ft above the runway. He verified that the airspeed still indicated 65 mph, then leveled the nose of the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the runway. The pilot struck his head against the panel, then felt a second impact. That was the last memory the pilot had regarding the accident.

Witness Observations

Several witnesses observed the airplane rotating at a very high angle of attack. One witness noted that the nose appeared to be pitched up at an angle of 15 to 20 degrees. The witnesses observed the airplane veer to the north side of the runway, then realign with the runway, and drift right again. The aircraft impacted several landing lights off the north side of the runway, then struck a dirt berm, followed by a barb-wire fence.

Pilot Information

At the time of the accident, the pilot had flown a total of 2.1 hours within the past 90 days and had accumulated a total of 4.5 hours of flight time in the PA-28.

Environmental Conditions

The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 8,891 feet.

Aerodynamic stall

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Piper PA-28 Cherokee accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 31 Jul 1999 Piper PA-28-180 accident near Edgewood, NM?

During a touch-and-go landing, the pilot rotated at 65 mph but only reached 15 ft altitude; after leveling the nose, the airplane impacted the runway, then struck landing lights, a dirt berm, and a fence.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 31 Jul 1999 involved a Piper PA-28-180, registration N7521W, operated by Wayne E. Huyler, at Edgewood, NM.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's excessive rotation during takeoff, resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush. Factors were the pilot's lack of recent flight experience, and the high density altitude..

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X19255. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.