# NTSB MKC86LA047: Piper PA-32R-300, N38127, Lawrence, KS, January 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1986, 03:00 local (09:00 UTC)
- Place: Lawrence, KS
- Coordinates: 39.020263, -95.210433 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0203&lon=-95.2104&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): 34127
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34127/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA047

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE MISTOOK AN ICE AND SNOW COVERED AREA FOR A TAXIWAY AND TURNED OFF PAST THE ACTUAL TAXIWAY. THE ACFT STRUCK A SNOWBANK WHICH COLLAPSED THE NOSEGEAR. THE BLUE TAXIWAY LIGHT WAS OUT. THIS LIGHT MARKS THE EDGE OF TAXIWAY. THE TAXIWAY WAS FREE OF ICE AND SNOW MAKING IT EASILY DESTINGUISHABLE FROM THE SNOW AND ICE AT IT'S EDGES. THE PLT WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT, HAVING FLOWN IN AND OUT OF THE AIRPORT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN FORWARD SPEED AFTER LANDING IS REQUIRED BEFORE EXECUTING A TURN TO THE TAXIWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38127](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38127), registered now, S/N 32R-7780387 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (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: 7780387
- Airframe hours: 5217
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Priority Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 1985, 70 hours before
- Departed: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Destination: 3LA, LAWRENCE, KS
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 3LA, Lawrence, runway 1, 3,900 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,615 total, 350 in this make and model, 4,510 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860109000399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860109000399A), Jan 9, 1986: Piper PA32R300, Lawrence, KS, Substantial damage. Nose gear collapsed when aircraft was taxied into area of snow and ice. One taxiway light out.

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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