# NTSB CHI83LA113: Piper PA-28R, N47875, Jackson, MI, February 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1983, 10:09 local (16:09 UTC)
- Place: Jackson, MI
- Coordinates: 42.270137, -84.410018 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2701&lon=-84.4100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12090
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12090/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA113

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system - open (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,battery - failure,total (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear down and locked - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE OCCURRED AT 8,000 FT. THE PLT DIVERTED TO JACKSON & THE ACFT LANDED WHEELS-UP. THE PLT LATERSTATED THAT HE THOUGHT HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION PROCEDURES IN THE FLT MANUAL BUT THAT HE MIGHT NOT HAVE PUT THE SELECTOR SECURELY IN THE EMERGENCY DOWN POSITION. THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE REGULATOR & ALTERNATOR FIELD WAS FOUND TO HAVE AN OPEN CIRCUIT WHICH WOULD NOT ALLOW THE ALTERNATOR TO FUNCTION CAUSING BATTERY FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47875](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47875-2013-04-16), registration cancelled 2013-04-16, S/N 28R-7803033, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7803033
- Airframe hours: 1940
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Dicks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1983, 14 hours before
- Departed: CLE, CLEVELAND, OH
- Destination: DSM, DES MOINES, IA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: JXN, Jackson, runway 23, 5,344 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 326 total, 326 in this make and model, 277 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F

## 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 19830213035699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830213035699A), Feb 13, 1983: Piper PA28RT201T, Jackson, MI, Substantial damage. Electrical system failed and pilot failed to lower landing gear by emergency means. Landing gear collapsed.

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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