Piper PA-28R-201 accident near Angle Fire, New Mexico, May 5, 1985
On May 5, 1985 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-28R-201, registered N38327, was substantially damaged in an accident near Angle Fire, New Mexico (Angel Fire airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 5, 1985 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Angle Fire, New Mexico · Angel Fire · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-201 · all PA-28R-201s on the register
- Registration
- N38327 · no longer on the register · serial 28R7737088
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM THE 6700 FT LONG RWY WITH A DENSITY ALT OF 10400 FT, TURBULENCE WAS EXPERIENCED AND THE AIRSPEED DECREASED TO APRX 70 KTS. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT, A FORCED LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED DURING WHICH THE ACFT CONTACTED A FENCE. THE PLT REPORTED, '...WE COMPLETED PROCEDURES ACCORDING TO OWNER'S MANUAL FOR WEIGHT AND BALANCE, RUNWAY LENGTH, PERFORMANCE AND RUNUP.' THE TAKEOFF WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITH 10 DEGS OF FLAPS LOWERED AND AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS ACCELERATED TO 90 KTS. THE MAX DENSITY ALT ON THE TAKEOFF VS DENSITY ALT CHART IN THE FLT HANDBOOK IS 7000 FT. RECOMMENDED SHORT FLD TAKEOFF PROCEDURE CALLS FOR 25 DEGS OF FLAPS AND ACCELERATION TO 80 MPH UNTIL OBSTACLES ARE CLEARED. ANGLE FIRE ARPT IS LOCATED IN A MOUNTAIN VALLEY WITH RISING TERRAIN IN ALL DIRECTIONS.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,042 hours in all; 69 in this make and model; 171 in the last 90 days; 2,905 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,045 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 23, 1985
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Destination: Amarillo TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 6,700 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.