# NTSB IAD78FA093: Piper PA-32, N8997N, Norfolk, VA, August 10, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 10, 1978
- Place: Norfolk, VA · NORFOLK, VA
- Location: 36.8468° N, 76.2852° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Norfolk, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8468&lon=-76.2852&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139660
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD78FA093
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FA093

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2611  78/8/10  NR.NORFOLK,VA         PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 37, 897
        TIME - 0600                    N8997N              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 258 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED         NORFOLK,VA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  LOW ON FUEL
        REMARKS- PLT STATED POWER ON DITCHING IN WATER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8997N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8997N-2018-05-21), registration cancelled 2018-05-21, S/N 32-40880, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780810030189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780810030189A), Aug 10, 1978: Piper PA32300, Norfolk, VA, Destroyed. Plt stated power on ditching in water.

## Other investigations on N8997N (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 FTW71DRG54](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71DRG54), Dec 4, 1970: Piper PA-32 (N8997N), Mountain Home, TX, substantial damage

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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