# NTSB SEA93LA072: Piper PA-32-260, N821SC, Riverton, WY, March 3, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1993, 22:35 local (Mar 3, 1993, 05:35 UTC)
- Place: Riverton, WY
- Coordinates: 43.029441, -108.409126 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0294&lon=-108.4091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42994
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42994/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA072

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT PERFORM AN ABORT OF THE TAKEOFF AFTER OBSERVING A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER.  FACTORS INCLUDE IMPROPER USE OF THE MIXTURE CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - roll/run
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT OBSERVED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT PRODUCING EXPECTED POWER, AND ASSURED DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN THAT THE PROPELLER, THROTTLE, AND MIXTURE CONTROLS WERE FULL FORWARD.  THE TAKEOFF USED ABOUT HALF THE LENGTH OF THE 8202 FOOT RUNWAY.  THE AIRCRAFT LIFTED OFF, CLIMBED TO ABOUT 50 FEET AND WOULD NOT CLIMB.  THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A LIGHT POLE AND CRASHED IN A FIELD ABOUT 1.5 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT.  ALTHOUGH THE PILOT NOTED THAT HE HAD EXPECTED TO TAKEOFF GROUND RUN TO BE ABOUT 2000 FEET, HE FAILED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N821SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N821SC-1993-10-06), registration cancelled 1993-10-06, S/N 32558 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32558
- Airframe hours: 2260
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Karl T. Lieb
- Registered owner: Lindy, Smith, Wong
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1992, 160 hours before
- Departed: RIW
- Destination: P1R, PIERRE, SD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RIW, Riverton Regional, runway 28, 8,202 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 810 total, 55 in this make and model, 632 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIW, 2 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 19930302004349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930302004349A), Mar 2, 1993: Piper PA32260, Riverton, WY, Destroyed. Used half 8000FT runway on takeoff. Unable leave ground effect. Hit light pole. Failed to abort takeoff.

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.