# NTSB ATL85LA145: Piper PA-32R-301, N8047P, Columbia, SC, April 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1985, 22:20 local (Apr 20, 1985, 03:20 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, SC
- Coordinates: 33.989711, -81.07904 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9897&lon=-81.0790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6783
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6783/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA145

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - animal(s) (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - separation (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR STRUCK A LARGE DOG WHICH RAN ONTO THE RWY. THE TAKEOFF WAS CONTINUED & THE PLT CIRCLED THE ARPT FOR 2 HRS TO BURN OFF EXCESS FUEL BEFORE PERFORMING A LDG WITH THE NOSE GEAR & THE LEFT MAIN LDG GEAR RETRACTED. THE RIGHT LDG GEAR WAS BROKEN AS A RESULT OF THE COLLISION WITH THE DOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8047P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8047P-1990-04-06), registration cancelled 1990-04-06, S/N 32R8213025 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301) (registry code 7103218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-8213025
- Airframe hours: 736
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert D. Hendrix
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1985, 30 hours before
- Departed: CAE
- Destination: GMU, GREENVILE, SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CAE, Columbia Metro, runway 11, 8,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,875 total, 181 in this make and model, 1,710 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE

## 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 19850419015939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850419015939A), Apr 19, 1985: Piper PA32R301, Columbia, SC, Substantial damage. Right main gear struck a large dog during takeoff. Gear would not retract. Landed with remaining gear up.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.