# NTSB IAD78FID14: Piper PA-32R, N3929X, Richmond, VA, July 18, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 18, 1978
- Place: Richmond, VA · RICHMOND, VA
- Location: 37.5538° N, 77.4603° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Richmond, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5538&lon=-77.4603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 12, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140626
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD78FID14
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FID14

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2032  78/7/18    RICHMOND,VA         PIPER PA-32R        CR-  0  0  2  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 33, 455
        TIME - 1754                    N3929X              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 6 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BYRD INTL AIRPORT
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RICHMOND,VA                 FREDERICKSBURG,VA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAKEOFF: RUN
           COLLIDED WITH: AIRPORT HAZARD                            TAKEOFF: ABORTED
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED WRONG RUNWAY RELATIVE TO EXISTING WIND
           COPILOT - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DELAYED ACTION IN ABORTING TAKEOFF
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: HIDDEN HAZARD
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: WET RUNWAY
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    2500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          2 MILES OR LESS                                          RAIN SHOWERS
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          HAZE                                                     LEFT QUARTERING TAIL WIND 203-247 DEGREES
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
           76                                                      240
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           10                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR
        REMARKS- RAINSHOWER OVER FIELD,GUSTS TO 17KTS.RAN THRU DITCH CUT FOR RWY LIGHT REPAIR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3929X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3929X-1988-11-01), registration cancelled 1988-11-01, S/N 32R7680005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Byrd Intl Airport

## 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 19780718022059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780718022059A), Jul 18, 1978: Piper PA32R300, Richmond, VA, Substantial damage. Rainshower over field,gusts to 17KTS.ran thru ditch cut for rwy l repair.

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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