# NTSB MIA86LA153: Piper PA-32RT-300, N9272C, Clearwater, FL, May 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1986, 22:00 local (May 10, 1986, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Clearwater, FL
- Location: 27.9772° N, 82.7591° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CLEARWATER EXEC (CLW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9772&lon=-82.7591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA153

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - approach light/navaid
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT AN ARPT AT NIGHT WITHOUT THE USE OF RWY LIGHTS, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY ON THE GRASS. THE ACFT THEN COLLIDED WITH THE VASI LIGHTS, THE LANDING GEAR WAS SEVERED, & THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9272C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7885041
- Airframe hours: 2355
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rick Emshoff, doing business as Suncoast Aviation
- Registered owner: Walter J. Powell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 14, 1986, 28 hours before
- Departed: TPA, TAMPA, FL
- Airport: CLW, Clearwater Air Park, runway 33, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,979 total, 52 in this make and model, 2,979 as pilot in command, 83 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 6 nm away

## 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 19860509016889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860509016889A), May 9, 1986: Piper PA32RT300, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. Touched down in grass beside unlit runway. Collided with VASI lights and severed gear. Pilot consumed alcohol.

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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