# NTSB CHI83LA394: Piper PA-32-260, N9346C, Watertown, WI, August 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1983, 23:00 local (Aug 28, 1983, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Watertown, WI
- Coordinates: 43.189159, -88.720726 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1892&lon=-88.7207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA394
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12318/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA394

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - landing light(s) - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL & THE ACFT STRUCK 3 LANDING LIGHTS. THE LEFT GEAR COLLAPSED & THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING. THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS LANDING LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE DURING THE LANDING AND LACK OF CENTERLINE REFERENCE CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9346C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9346C-1991-04-10), registration cancelled 1991-04-10, S/N 327800003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Departed: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Destination: RYV
- Airport: Watertown, runway 23, 2,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 295 total, 6 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE

## 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 19830827069049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830827069049A), Aug 27, 1983: Piper PA32260, Watertown, WI, Substantial damage. Ran off the runway on the landing roll. Aircraft's landing light inoperative. No runway centerline markings.

## Other investigations on N9346C (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI88LA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA232), Sep 8, 1988: Piper PA-32-260 (N9346C), Watertown, WI, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER SELECTION OF THE FUEL TANK, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.

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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