# NTSB SEA89LA163: Piper PA-32R-300, N83TL, Paradise Valley, NV, September 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1989, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Paradise Valley, NV
- Coordinates: 41.490776, -117.419502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4908&lon=-117.4195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41071
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41071/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA163

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF.  THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, SOFT RUNWAY, AND FENCE WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF FROM A 2000 FT, SOFT, DIRT RUNWWAY. DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THAT TIME WAS ABOUT 5440 FT. THE AIRCRAFT LIFTED OFF NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY, BUT IT DID NOT CLEAR A FENCE & DIRT BERM AT THE DEPARTURE END.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83TL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83TL-2012-11-13), registration cancelled 2012-11-13, S/N 32R-7680392, built 1976 (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: 32R-768392
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ernest W. Myers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Destination: O37, ORLAND, CA
- Airport: Paradise Valley, runway 36, 2,000 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 95 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WMC, 37 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 19890902033589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890902033589A), Sep 2, 1989: Piper PA32R300, Paradise Valley, NV, Substantial damage. Tried to depart a soft dirt powder strip. Became airborne too late to clear a fence and dirt berm at end of runway.

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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