# NTSB MIA94LA047: Piper PA-28-161, N5192W, Vicksburg, MS, December 31, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 31, 1993, 17:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Vicksburg, MS - Location: 32.2534° N, 90.9252° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from VICKSBURG MUNI (VKS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2534&lon=-90.9252&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37476 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37476/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA047 ## Probable cause THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDEPATH. FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - electrical system,generator - failure,partial (contributing factor) - maintenance - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - tree(s) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis A STUDENT PILOT SEATED IN THE LEFT FORWARD SEAT BROUGHT TO THE PILOT'S ATTENTION ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THAT THE LOW VOLTAGE LIGHT FOR THE LORAN UNIT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE PILOT RECYCLED THE ALTERNATOR SWITCH AND THE ROTATING BEACON AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WAS OBSERVED. THE FLIGHT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING AND WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH WHEN THE PILOT TURNED ON THE LANDING LIGHT, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH TREES BUT WAS ABLE TO LAND. DURING A FERRY FLIGHT AFTER THIS ACCIDENT, THE AMMETER FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHOWED ERRATIC CHARGING AND DISCHARGING. EXAMINATION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT THE FIELD WIRE WAS BROKEN AT THE TERMINAL END. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DID HAVE PREVIOUS DISCREPANCIES BUT THE REASON FOR THE MALFUNCTION COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE THRESHOLD IS DISPLACED 200 FEET DUE TO TREES AND THE USABLE LENGTH OF RUNWAY IS SHORTENED FROM 5,000 TO 4,500 FEET AT NIGHT. A VASI IS NOT INSTALLED FOR THE RUNWAY USED. ## Factual narrative On December 31, 1993, about 1745 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N5192W, registered to Rainbow Flyers, Inc., collided with trees while on final approach to land at the Vicksburg Municipal Airport, Vicksburg, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot and three passengers were not injured. The flight originated about 1500, from the Lake View Airport, Lake Dallas, Texas. The pilot stated that the electrical system failed about 15 to 20 minutes before the airplane collided with trees while on final approach to land. He further stated that the landing light did not illuminate when he turned it on for landing. A student pilot seated in the left front seat stated that he brought to the pilot's attention about 15-20 minutes before the accident that the low voltage light for the Loran unit was illuminated. The pilot checked the circuit breakers and recycled the alternator switch, but a short time later the rotating beacon for the destination airport was observed. The pilot flew over the airport and entered the traffic pattern for landing on runway 19. While on final approach, the pilot turned on the landing light and the electrical system failed. The pilot then asked to have a flashlight turned on and the airplane then collided with trees. The airplane was landed uneventfully. According to an NTSB program, the moon illumination at the time of the accident was determined to be 89 percent. The nearest facility with official weather observations was located about 45 nautical miles east of the accident airport. At 1756, the sky condition was determined to be clear below 12,000 feet. According to the Airport Facility Directory, the usable length of the runway used at night is 4,500 feet and the threshold is displaced 200 feet due to trees. Additionally, the runway end identifier lights are listed as being out of service indefinitely. A visual approach slope indicator is not installed for the runway used by the accident airplane. The airplane was temporarily repaired and flown on a ferry flight to the home base for permanent repairs. During the ferry flight, the pilot observed that the ammeter indicated a charge and discharge. Examination of the electrical system revealed that the field wire was broken at the terminal end which was covered by heat shrink. The terminal end for the field wire was connected to the field terminal position at the generator. According to the owner of the flight school, there were previous discrepancies noted about the electrical system; however, inspection of the electrical system failed to reveal the reason for the discrepancies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5192W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5192W-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 28-227, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28) (registry code 7102801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-227 - Airframe hours: 2811 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rainbow Flyers, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Provisional (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 16, 1993, 27 hours before - Departed: 30F, LAKEVIEW, TX - Airport: VKS, Vicksburg Municipal, runway 19, 4,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JAN, 45 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 19931231048579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931231048579A), Dec 31, 1993: Piper PA28161, Vicksburg, MS, Substantial damage. Lost electric power on approach as landing lights were turned on. Brushed trees. Landed on runway. Field wire broken ## Other investigations on N5192W (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC78FCD27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78FCD27), May 24, 1978: Piper PA-28 (N5192W), Anamosa, IA, 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. --- 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.