# NTSB IAD79FA068: Piper PA-32, N44522, Hickory, NC, August 21, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: August 21, 1979
- Place: Hickory, NC · HICKORY, NC
- Location: 35.7332° N, 81.3412° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hickory, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7332&lon=-81.3412&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 8, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133712
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD79FA068
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FA068

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3005  79/8/21    HICKORY,NC          PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 2235                    N44522              PX-  0  0  1  COMMUTER AIR CARRIER      26, 4438 TOTAL HOURS, 86
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG S-D        IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HICKORY MUNICIPAL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CHARLOTTE,NC                HICKORY,NC
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
           COLLIDED WITH: RUNWAY OR APPROACH LIGHTS                 LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ANTI-ICING/DEICING EQUIPMENT-IMPROPER OPERATION OF/OR FAILED TO USE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ICE-CARBURETOR
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARB./INDUCTION SYSTEM ICING
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                 12000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     DRIZZLE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          HAZE                                                      73
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           80                                                       4
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      IFR
        REMARKS- COLLIDED W APCH LGT TWRS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44522](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44522-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 32-7400049, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Hickory Municipal

## 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 19790821036279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790821036279A), Aug 21, 1979: Piper PA32260, Hickory, NC, Destroyed. Engine quit on final. Aircraft hit approach light towers short of runway. Evidence pilot failed to use carb heat

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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