# NTSB FTW90LA009: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N30263, Addison, TX, October 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1989, 20:28 local (Oct 12, 1989, 01:28 UTC)
- Place: Addison, TX
- Coordinates: 32.959995, -96.829216 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9600&lon=-96.8292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23062
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23062/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA009

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE THE TAXI DURING DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS WITHOUT TAXIWAY LIGHTS, AN OPERABLE LANDING LIGHT OR, ASSISTANCE FROM AIRPORT PERSONNEL.

## 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)
  - landing light(s) - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,taxiway lighting - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAXI TO PARKING IN DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS WITHOUT AN OPERABLE LANDING LIGHT. THE TAXIWAY TO THE PARKING RAMP WAS MARKED BY REFLECTORS ONLY. THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS POSITION AND EXITED THE HARD SURFACE, STRIKING A FIBERGLASS POLE ABOUT 13 FEET NORTH OF THE TAXIWAY. THE WING SPAR WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE MAIN GEAR THEN SETTLED INTO A DITCH AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N30263 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7887275
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Joint Ventures, Inc.
- Registered owner: American Joint Ventures, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO
- Airport: ADS, Dallas Addison

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,520 total, 950 in this make and model, 2,311 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADS

## 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 19891011039929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891011039929A), Oct 11, 1989: Piper PA32RT300T, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Landing light failed to light on landing and taxi. Got off taxiway and struck a pole in the dark,settled into 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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