History of Flight
On October 20, 2019, about 0845 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-24, registration N7742P, was substantially damaged when it crashed near Angel Fire, New Mexico. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 cross-country flight.
According to friends of the pilot who assisted with refueling and preflight that morning, this was the pilot's first flight into Angel Fire Airport (AXX). The pilot stated he planned to depart to the south and then return toward the airport due to the winds and to gain altitude. After starting the engine and allowing it to warm up for about 10-15 minutes, the airplane taxied to the departure end of runway 17, where the pilot performed an engine run-up and magneto checks. Friends observed the airplane start its takeoff roll and become airborne just past halfway down the runway. Shortly thereafter, they saw the landing gear retract and lost sight of the airplane behind the parallel taxiway, which rises in elevation above the runway.
An eyewitness driving north saw the airplane flying south from the airport at very low altitude, appearing to struggle to remain in flight. The airplane turned right toward the road and the witness, who then drove into a ditch. As the airplane descended, it appeared to prepare for a landing on the road. The witness noticed power lines crossing the road; as the airplane approached them, it pitched up and turned west, impacting trees, a building, and terrain. Several other witnesses described the airplane as unstable after departure.
Security camera footage from a business between the airport and the accident site captured the airplane flying overhead about 50 ft above ground level, landing gear extended, wings level. As it approached light poles and power lines, it banked right and disappeared behind trees and buildings. Another camera near the accident site showed the airplane impacting trees and a building, cartwheeling to the ground in a nose-down attitude. The engine was heard producing power in the video. The airplane came to rest inverted and a postaccident fire ensued.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The 65-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for multiengine land, single-engine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent third-class FAA medical certificate was issued on March 7, 2019, at which time he reported 1,000 total hours of flight experience and 15 hours in the previous 6 months. The pilot's logbooks were not located; no evidence of mountain flying training or experience was found.
The accident airplane, serial number 24-2956, was manufactured in 1961. It was powered by a Lycoming O-360-A1D engine rated at 180 horsepower, driving a Hartzell 2-bladed constant-speed propeller. Total fuel capacity was 60 gallons. Airport personnel reported that the airplane was refueled with about 20 gallons that morning, filling both tanks. Published manufacturer takeoff performance data exists only for altitudes up to 6,000 ft; environmental conditions at the accident site exceeded those calculations. Approximate weight and balance were within the normal envelope. According to the pilot's operating handbook crosswind component graph, the airplane would have experienced about a 9-knot crosswind and a 2-knot tailwind.
Meteorological Conditions
At 0845 MDT, AXX reported wind from 270° at 9 knots gusting to 21 knots, visibility 10 statute miles or greater, ceiling overcast at 7,000 ft agl, temperature 5°C, dew point -13°C, altimeter 29.87 inHg. Density altitude at the surface was calculated as 9,360 ft msl. The automated weather observing system broadcasts updates every minute, including density altitude if it exceeds 1,000 ft above the runway's highest point.
An Area Forecast Discussion issued at 0525 MDT indicated strong northwesterly winds increasing through the morning as a Pacific cold front passed, with gusts of 25-35 kts common. AIRMET TANGO advisories for moderate turbulence below FL180 and low-level wind shear potential were valid at the time of the accident, with new advisories issued at 0845 MDT.
Wreckage and Impact
Examination of the accident site revealed first contact with three trees north of a building. The main wreckage was inverted at the far end of a debris field approximately 250 ft long on a heading of 190° magnetic. Flight control cable continuity was established, and all major structural components were found. The engine examination showed no evidence of in-flight airframe, engine, or flight control malfunction or failure.
Medical and Pathological Information
The University of New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator performed the pilot's autopsy. The cause of death was blunt trauma, and the manner of death was accident. The autopsy identified moderate-to-severe multivessel coronary artery disease with two coronary artery stents, old heart muscle scarring, and microscopic changes consistent with a previous heart attack. No other significant natural disease was found. Toxicological testing detected amlodipine, metoprolol, atorvastatin, and clopidogrel in some specimens; one laboratory did not detect any tested substances.