# NTSB LAX84LA066: Piper PA-32R-301T, N8178W, Peach Springs, AZ, November 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1983, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Peach Springs, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.640369, -113.609893 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6404&lon=-113.6099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24089
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24089/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA066

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE WIND WAS VARIABLE & GUSTY WHEN THE ACFT TOOK OFF FROM THE HUALAPAI ARPT, PEACH SPRINGS, AZ. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER ROTATING FOR TAKEOFF, THE ACFT MOVED LATERALLY TO THE LEFT, AND AS HE WAS CORRECTING FOR THE MOVEMENT, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR CONTACTED SOMETHING. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT STRUCK A BERM BESIDE THE DIRT RWY. HE LEFT THE GEAR EXTENDED & FLEW TO KINGMAN WHERE HE MADE AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE LEFT MAIN GEAR HAD BEEN PUSHED AFT, THE FORWARD & AFT SPARS OF THE LEFT WING WERE TWISTED & THE LEFT WING SKIN HAD POPPED RIVETS & WRINKLES ON THE TOP & BOTTOM. THE PLT REPORTED THE WINDS WERE GUSTING FROM CALM TO 15 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8178W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8178W-1989-04-05), registration cancelled 1989-04-05, S/N 32R8029073 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8029073
- Airframe hours: 830
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eagle Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 14, 1983, 41 hours before
- Destination: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: L37, Hualapi, runway 23, 3,972 × 30 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,345 total, 14 in this make and model, 302 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19831119058479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831119058479A), Nov 19, 1983: Piper PA32301T, Peach Springs, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot allowed wing to contact berm alongside of runway during takeoff causing 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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