# NTSB FTW83LA125: Piper PA-31P, N7334L, Nacogdoches, TX, February 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1983, 21:00 local (Feb 21, 1983, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Nacogdoches, TX
- Location: 31.5778° N, 94.7101° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at NACOGDOCHES A L MANGHAM JR RGNL (OCH), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5778&lon=-94.7101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA125

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,hydroplaning condition - water (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL, A LANDING WAS MADE AT NIGHT IMC CONDITIONS WITH LOW CEILINGS, HEAVY RAIN & GUSTY WINDS. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING, THERE WAS A X-WIND COMPONENT, LIGHT TURBULENCE & A WIND SHIFT. REPORTEDLY THE ACFT WAS LANDED APRX HALF WAY DOWN THE RWY, THEN HYDROPLANING CONDITIONS WERE ENCOUNTERED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO STOP ON THE REMAINING RWY & THE ACFT WENT IN A DEEP DITCH AFTER RUNNING OFF THE END.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7334L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7334L-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 31P-7400217, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31P
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31p) (registry code 7103120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TIGO-541SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tigo-541ser) (registry code 41539, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31P-7400217
- Airframe hours: 1769
- Engines: LYCOMING TIGO-541-E1A 425 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sonny Partovi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 1, 1982
- Departed: CLL, COLLEGE STATION, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OCH, East Texas Reg., runway 15, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,300 total, 70 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830220006459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830220006459A), Feb 20, 1983: Piper PA31P, Nacagdoches, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted landing in crosswind on wet runway and aircraft hydroplaned off end of runway.

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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