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NTSB Report
July 8, 1983 · Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30 · N39487
Columbus, OH
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 8, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Columbus, OH
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail Number
N39487
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI83LA301
ABOUT 1 1/2 MIN AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU APRX 1400 FT AGL WHEN THE ENG LOST MOST OF ITS POWER, SPUTTERED, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER QUIT RUNNING ALTOGETHER. THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANK & TRIED TO RESTART THE ENG BUT WAS UNABLE. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE ARPT, SO HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A FIELD. AS THE ACFT WAS APPROACHING THE FIELD, THE PLT DID NOT SEE TRANSMISSION WIRES UNTIL THEY WERE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE ACFT. HE MANEUVERED THE ACFT TO AVOID A COLLISION; HOWEVER, A CABLE BECAME WRAPPED AROUND THE PROP & THE LEFT WING HIT A UTILITY POLE. THE ACFT THEN CRASH LANDED IN A FIELD. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT & ENG WAS MADE, BUT NO FUEL CONTAMINATION OR PREIMPACT FAILURES WERE FOUND. AFTER MINOR IMPACT FAILURES WERE REPAIRED, THE ENG WAS STARTED & OPERATED NORMALLY.
Full Narrative
ABOUT 1 1/2 MIN AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU APRX 1400 FT AGL WHEN THE ENG LOST MOST OF ITS POWER, SPUTTERED, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER QUIT RUNNING ALTOGETHER. THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANK & TRIED TO RESTART THE ENG BUT WAS UNABLE. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE ARPT, SO HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A FIELD. AS THE ACFT WAS APPROACHING THE FIELD, THE PLT DID NOT SEE TRANSMISSION WIRES UNTIL THEY WERE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE ACFT. HE MANEUVERED THE ACFT TO AVOID A COLLISION; HOWEVER, A CABLE BECAME WRAPPED AROUND THE PROP & THE LEFT WING HIT A UTILITY POLE. THE ACFT THEN CRASH LANDED IN A FIELD. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT & ENG WAS MADE, BUT NO FUEL CONTAMINATION OR PREIMPACT FAILURES WERE FOUND. AFTER MINOR IMPACT FAILURES WERE REPAIRED, THE ENG WAS STARTED & OPERATED NORMALLY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:38 EDT
Nearest Airport6nm SSW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail NumberN39487
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-S1AD · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:40
Weather SourceWFAC