# NTSB FTW94LA100: Piper PA-32-300, N8933N, Albuquerque, NM, March 17, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 16, 1994, 19:55 local (Mar 17, 1994, 02:55 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.189163, -106.500671 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1892&lon=-106.5007&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19013 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19013/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA100 ## Probable cause THE CFI RATED SECOND PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE ILS GLIDESLOPE. A FACTOR WAS THE DARK NIGHT AND LACK OF SUPERVISION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot passenger (cause) - object - wire,transmission(marked) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis DURING A DARK NIGHT ILS APPROACH, BEING FLOWN BY THE CFI RATED PASSENGER, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A SET OF POWER LINES 200 YARDS FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THIS WAS THE FOURTH APPROACH TO RUNWAY 22 WHEN THE WIRE STRIKE OCCURRED. FOLLOWING THE INITIAL WIRE CONTACT THE CFI APPLIED POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR THEM. FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION OF POWER THE AIRPLANE VEERED LEFT AND STRUCK A SECOND SET OF WIRES AND DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT. THE PIC/OWNER REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS TWO DOTS LOW ON THE ILS GLIDESLOPE JUST PRIOR TO THE WIRE STRIKE. ## Factual narrative On March 16, 1994, at 1955 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-32- 300, was substantially damaged during an ILS approach at Albuquerque, New Mexico. The private pilot/owner and flight instructor (CFI) sustained minor injuries. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight. In a written report submitted by the pilot he stated that during the fourth approach, on short final to the Double Eagle airport, the aircraft struck a set of marked power lines containing three wires. He further reported that when the wire strike occurred the CFI applied power in an attempt to clear them. Following the application of power the airplane veered left and struck a second set of power lines. The pilot in command (PIC) stated in his written report that at the time of the accident the CFI was operating the controls of the airplane. The PIC also reported that the airplane was two dots low on the ILS just prior to the collision. An inspection of the scene by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane struck the wires 200 yards from the approach end of the runway. The inspection revealed that the power lines were marked by orange balls; however, there were no markings applied that could identify the wires at night. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8933N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8933N-1994-04-19), registration cancelled 1994-04-19, S/N 3240733 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-40733 - Airframe hours: 2893 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stabler, William L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 8, 1994, 47 hours before - Airport: AEG, Double Eagle, runway 22, 7,398 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 500 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABQ, 11 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 19940316005549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940316005549A), Mar 16, 1994: Piper PA32300, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. During night IFR practice struck power lines. CFI took over. Added power hit more wires. Too low on ILS approach. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.