# NTSB FTW93LA073: Piper PA-32R-300, N7676C, El Dorado, AR, January 23, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1993, 19:00 local (Jan 23, 1993, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: El Dorado, AR
- Coordinates: 33.210144, -92.660102 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2101&lon=-92.6601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18635/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA073

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE. A FACTOR WAS THE DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING A SERIES OF PRACTICE VISUAL APPROACHES TO AN AIRFIELD THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE, APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 80 FEET TALL, ON THE THIRD APPROACH APPROXIMATELY A HALF MILE SHORT OF THE LANDING THRESHOLD. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE OBSERVED THE VASI SYSTEM DURING THE APPROACH, IT INDICATED THE LIGHTS IN THE RED. AFTER THE TREE STRIKE THE PILOT REGAINED CONTROL AND CIRCLED TO LAND ON THE OPPOSITE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7676C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7676C-1999-03-11), registration cancelled 1999-03-11, S/N 32R-7680057 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7680057
- Airframe hours: 2195
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIA5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Acoustics Consultants Inc
- Registered owner: Acoustics Consultants Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1992, 85 hours before
- Departed: CDH, CAMDEN, AR
- Destination: ELD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 561 total, 14 in this make and model, 523 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELD, 1 nm away

## 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 19930122000859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930122000859A), Jan 22, 1993: Piper PA32R300, El Dorado, AR, Substantial damage. Wing struck tree on night landing,impact severed outer wing and ruptured fuel tank. Circled. Landed on runway 22.

## Other investigations on N7676C (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 FTW99FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99FA060), Jan 2, 1999: Piper PA-32-300R (N7676C), Smackover, AR, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's spatial disorientation resulting in a loss of control of the airplane and the ensuing stall/spin. Factors were the low ceilings and the night condition.

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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