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Accidents · NTSB DEN86LA018 · Preliminary: the investigation is not finished

Piper PA-28-140 accident near Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, November 3, 1985

On November 3, 1985 at about 4:15 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N4351J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico (Taos Municipal airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. 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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
November 3, 1985 · about 4:15 pm local time · cases in 1985
Place
Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico · Taos Municipal · cases near this airport · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
Registration
N4351J · registry record · serial 28-22729
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, AFTER A TOUCH AND GO, THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A SAGE BRUSH COVERED FLD 3/4 OF A MILE NORTH OF THE RWY. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE FAILED TO SWITCH THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE 1.2 HOUR LOCAL FLT WHICH PRECEEDED THE TOUCH AND GO.

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: student
  • Flight time: 43 hours in all; 38 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 23 as pilot in command
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
  • Seat: unk

The aircraft

  • Last inspection: approved inspection programme, April 1, 1985; 15 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
  • Seats: 4
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 0

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: at 3 knots
  • Visibility: 46 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
  • Observation at 3:50 pm from ALS, 59 miles away

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1

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.

Connections how this case links to the rest of the register

Aircraft
Place
Analytics

The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/DEN86LA018.json.

The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.

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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.