# NTSB SEA90LA022: Piper PA-32-300, N416CP, Boulder City, NV, November 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1989, 17:05 local (Nov 26, 1989, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Boulder City, NV
- Coordinates: 35.989101, -114.810272 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9891&lon=-114.8103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41152
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41152/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA022

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT ATTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DITCH AND THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION.

## 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 - ditch (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE MAKING AN APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY IN TWILIGHT CONDITIONS, HE WAS MORE FIXATED ON ALTITUDE, SPEED AND THE LOCATION OF THE THRESHOLD. THE PILOT DID NOT NOTICE THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS MISALIGNED WITH THE RUNWAY, AS THE RUNWAY IS ONLY EQUIPPED WITH THRESHOLD LIGHTS. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN BETWEEN THE THRESHOLD LIGHTS AND TRAVELED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND RAN INTO A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N416CP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N416CP-1990-10-19), registration cancelled 1990-10-19, S/N 3240237 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40237
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bellis, James E.
- Departed: EAN, WHEATLAND, WY
- Airport: BLD, Boulder City, runway 3, 2,965 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 952 total, 512 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 190° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891125046649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891125046649A), Nov 25, 1989: Piper PA32300, Boulder City, NV, Substantial damage. Landing at dusk with runway threshold lights only. Touched down misaligned with runway and ran off into a ditch.

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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