Event DEN85LA176

Factual narrative

DURING A X-COUNTRY FLT FROM LOS ANGELES, CA TO TULSA, OK, THE PLT MADE AN EN ROUTE STOP AT GALLUP, NM. THE FUEL TANKS WERE FULLY SERVICED & THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH A PASSENGER & APRX 50 LBS OF TOOLS & BAGGAGE ON BOARD. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB MORE THAN 75 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. BOTH HE AND THE PASSENGER (HIS 10 YR OLD SON) REPORTED THE ENG SEEMED TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE HIGH DENSITY ALT CAUSED A LACK OF CLIMB PERFORMANCE. HE FLEW THE ACFT BETWEEN RIDGE TOPS & LOWERED THE FLAPS IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN ALT. HOWEVER, ABOUT 3 MI FROM THE APRT, THE ACFT DESCENDED & HIT THE GROUND. DURING IMPACT, THE PLT'S SEAT BELT FAILED. HE RECEIVED SEVERE FACIAL INJURIES & BROKEN RIBS. THE DENSITY ALT AT GALLUP WAS COMPUTED TO BE 9600 FT. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12