# NTSB ATL80FID30: Piper PA-32R, N3026C, Orange, VA, September 14, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 14, 1980
- Place: Orange, VA · ORANGE, VA
- Location: 38.2478° N, 78.1132° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Orange, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2478&lon=-78.1132&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 12, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL80FID30
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80FID30

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2423  80/9/14    ORANGE,VA           PIPER PA-32R        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 55, 1118
        TIME - 1915                    N3026C              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 150 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          LOUISVILLE,KY               LAKEWOOD,NJ                  CHARLESTON,WV
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           WEATHER - RAIN
           WEATHER - FOG
           WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  ADVERSE/UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          4 MILES OR LESS                                          RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- LNDD IN PASTURE ON ROLLING TRRN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3026C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3026C), registered now, S/N 32R-7987048, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19800914041309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800914041309A), Sep 14, 1980: Piper PA32R300, Orange, VA, Substantial damage. Flew into area of thunderstorms heavy rain, poor visibility. Made hard fast landing in rough pasture.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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