# NTSB CHI88LA242: Piper PA-32-300, N8322C, Akron, OH, September 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1988, 21:05 local (Sep 28, 1988, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Akron, OH
- Coordinates: 40.900501, -81.429801 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9005&lon=-81.4298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14167/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA242

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

ON TAXIING IN FROM LANDING ON A DARK NIGHT, THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY TAXIED OFF THE PAVEMENT ONTO A GRASSY AREA. WHEN HE REALIZED THAT HE WAS OFF THE PAVEMENT HE MADE AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE PAVEMENT AND ENCOUNTERED A 20' HOLE. THE MAIN GEAR SANK INTO THE HOLE AND THE WING STRUCK THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8322C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8322C-2013-08-01), registration cancelled 2013-08-01, S/N 32R-7680093, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7680093
- Airframe hours: 4039
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Riegel, Ted & Cockburn, Robt., doing business as Riegel Air
- Registered owner: Riegel, Ted & Cockburn, Robert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 1988, 94 hours before
- Departed: CMH, COLUMBUS, OH
- Destination: CAK, AKRON, OH
- Airport: CAK, Akron-Carton, runway 19, 6,397 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 261 total, 42 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAK

## 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 19880927041299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880927041299A), Sep 27, 1988: Piper PA32R300, Akron, OH, Substantial damage. Taxied off paved area while taxiing to ramp on dark night. Left main gear dropped into a hole and collapsed.

## Other investigations on N8322C (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 ANC06LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06LA021), Mar 4, 2006: Piper PA-32R-300 (N8322C), Winslow, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The presence of a foreign material/substance in the fuel system, which partially blocked the fuel flow divider, and resulted in a loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb, and an emergency…

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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