GALLUP, NM, USA
N1578J
PIPER PA-28-140
THE PRIVATE PLT & HIS WIFE WERE STARTING A CROSS-COUNTRY PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION FLT. THE ACFT WAS LOADED TO NEAR MAX GWT, & THE FSS HAD REPORTED A DENSITY ALT OF 9,600 FT TO THE PLT. AFTER TAKEOFF ON A 6,300 X 100 FT, ASPHALT RWY, THE PLT SAID THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT AT 300-400 FT AGL. THE ACFT LOST ALT TO 75-100 FT AGL. THE ACFT MAINTAINED THIS ALT FOR APRX 2 MI OVER RISING TERRAIN. THE PLT MADE A 180 DEG RT TURN TO AVOID A RESIDENTIAL AREA. HE STATED THAT THE TERRAIN SEEMED TO RISE FASTER THAN THE ACFT COULD CLIMB & THE ACFT CRASH- LANDED. THE CRASH OCCURRED WITHIN 3 MI OF THE APRT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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