# NTSB LAX93LA341: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N39527, Willows, CA, September 2, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1993, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Willows, CA
- Coordinates: 39.500663, -122.279685 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5007&lon=-122.2797&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 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA341
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA341

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

The pilot said that the aircraft was on the takeoff ground roll when he lost directional control and the aircraft began turning to the left.  The pilot noted that he applied full right rudder but was unable to regain control.  The aircraft veered off the runway, ground looped and sheared off the landing gear.

## Factual narrative

On September 2, 1993, at 1415 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA32RT-300T, N39527, veered off the runway on takeoff at the Willows, California, airport. The aircraft ground looped, sheared off the landing gear and damaged a wing.  The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot, and was on a personal cross country flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation.  The aircraft incurred substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot and his two passengers were not injured.  The flight was originating at the time of the mishap as a cross country flight to the Columbia Airport, Sonora, California.

The pilot said that the aircraft was on the takeoff ground roll when he lost directional control and the aircraft began turning to the left.  The pilot noted that he applied full right rudder but was unable to regain control.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39527](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39527), registered now, S/N 32R-7887103, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7887103
- Airframe hours: 2781
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David F. Hardy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1993, 11 hours before
- Departed: WLW
- Destination: 022, SONORA, CA
- Airport: WLW, Willows Glenn Co., runway 16, 4,506 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,253 total, 334 in this make and model, 1,056 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 109 °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 19930902002869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930902002869A), Sep 2, 1993: Piper PA32RT300T, Willows, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff roll. Ground looped. Reported full opposite rudder failed to regain control.

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.