# NTSB FTW83LA305: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N39589, Port Mansfield, TX, June 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1983, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Mansfield, TX
- Coordinates: 26.549255, -97.430648 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5493&lon=-97.4306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20953
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA305
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20953/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA305

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,nose gear - undetermined (cause)
- Overrun, takeoff
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, takeoff
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE NOSE GEAR POSITION LIGHT FLICKERED & THE NOSE GEAR UNSAFE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, JUST PRIOR TO ROTATION. HE REPORTEDLY ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AT THAT TIME, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE GOING OFF THE END OF THE RWY AT 65 TO 70 KTS. AS THE ACFT ROLLED THRU A DITCH, ABOUT 75 YDS FROM THE END OF THE RWY, ALL 3 LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. DUE TO THE IMPACT DAMAGE, THE MECHANICAL CONDITION OF THE NOSE GEAR COULD NOT BE EVALUATED. THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 339 TO 456 LBS OVER ITS MAX GROSS WT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39589](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39589-1989-05-12), registration cancelled 1989-05-12, S/N 32R7887113 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-788113
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G4D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Budak Aviation
- Registered owner: Sigmund R. Wright
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: TO2, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: TO5, Charles R. Johnson, runway 12, 3,222 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,387 total, 23 in this make and model, 3,140 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °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 19830629027429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830629027429A), Jun 29, 1983: Piper PA32RT300T, Port Mansfield, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot aborted takeoff and aircraft ran off end of runway through a ditch.

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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