# NTSB FTW83LA263: Piper PA-34-200, N57328, Texarkana, AR, June 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1983, 22:45 local (Jun 5, 1983, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Texarkana, AR
- Coordinates: 33.456912, -93.994219 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4569&lon=-93.9942&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20920
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20920/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA263

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - electrical system - failure,total (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RWY AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A NIGHT LANDING. ELECTRICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE ACFT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. WHEN ELECT RECAL POWER COULD NOT BE RESTORED THE PLT ELECTED TO RETURN TO TEXARKANA AND LAND USING VASI. THE PLT COULD NOT ACTIVATE THE RWY LIGHTS. THE PASSENGER HELD A FLASHLIGHT TRYING TO SEE THE GROUND ON SHORT FINAL. THE PLT REALIZED HE NEEDED THE LIGHT ON HIS AIRSPEED IN TRYING RETRIEVE IT THE ACFT BEGAN TO BUFFET. THE PLT LOWERED THE ACFT NOSE AND HIT THE GROUND 50-75 FT SHORT OF THE RWY. BECAUSE OF IMPACT DAMAGE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COULD NOT BE CHECKED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N57328 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7450051
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomason'S Sight & Sound Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1982
- Destination: AGO, MAGNOLIA, AR
- Airport: TXK, Texarkana Muni, runway 4, 6,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 609 total, 199 in this make and model, 548 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: variable at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19830604025429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830604025429A), Jun 4, 1983: Piper PA34200, Texarkana, AR, Substantial damage. Electrical system failed after takeoff and crash occurred during attempted landing without lights.

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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