# NTSB MKC83FA038: Piper PA-32R-300, N6855F, Dewitt, NE, December 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1982, 20:20 local (Dec 17, 1982, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Dewitt, NE
- Coordinates: 40.389057, -96.919715 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3891&lon=-96.9197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70474/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA038

## 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,alternator - worn (cause)
  - electrical system,alternator - contamination (cause)
  - electrical system,alternator - shorted (cause)
  - electrical system - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - unlocked (cause)
  - gear down and locked - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - comm/nav equipment - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload
  - landing gear - failure,total

## Analysis

AS THE FLT APPROACHED DESTINATION THE ALTERNATOR BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. PLT CONTINUED TO DESTINATION WHICH WAS IMC, AND AS THE GEAR WAS LOWERED DURING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH THE NOSE GEAR INDICATED UNSAFE. THE APPROACH WAS DISCONTINUED AND THE PLT CLIMBED BACK TO VMC-ON-TOP. AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET A SAFE INDICATION ON THE NOSE GEAR, COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE OCCURRED. HAVING NO COMMUNICATION OR NAVIGATIONAL CAPABILITY, THE PLT RETRACED HIS ROUTE BACK TO KNOWN VMC ABOUT 60 MI SW OF OMAHA. AN OFF-AIRPORT PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE DUE TO LOW FUEL, AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ALTERNATOR FAILED DUE TO A SHORT FROM FIELD TO GROUND. THE BRUSHES AND PULLEY END BEARING WERE WORN, AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS OIL SOAKED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6855F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7780039
- Airframe hours: 2357
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Heartland Enterprises, Inc.
- Registered owner: Heartland Enterprises, Inc.
- Departed: DODGE CITY, KS
- Destination: OMAHA, NE
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,238 total, 240 in this make and model, 1,234 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 39 °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 19821216065029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821216065029A), Dec 16, 1982: Piper PA32R300, De Witt, NE, Substantial damage. Nose gear would not lock down during approach. Pilot decided to land off airport and gear collapsed.

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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