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NTSB Report
December 17, 1982 · Piper PA-32R-300 · N6855F
Dewitt, NE
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 17, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Dewitt, NE
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R-300
Tail Number
N6855F
Operator
Heartland Enterprises
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC83FA038
AS THE FLT APPROACHED DESTINATION THE ALTERNATOR BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. PLT CONTINUED TO DESTINATION WHICH WAS IMC, AND AS THE GEAR WAS LOWERED DURING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH THE NOSE GEAR INDICATED UNSAFE. THE APPROACH WAS DISCONTINUED AND THE PLT CLIMBED BACK TO VMC-ON-TOP. AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET A SAFE INDICATION ON THE NOSE GEAR, COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE OCCURRED. HAVING NO COMMUNICATION OR NAVIGATIONAL CAPABILITY, THE PLT RETRACED HIS ROUTE BACK TO KNOWN VMC ABOUT 60 MI SW OF OMAHA. AN OFF-AIRPORT PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE DUE TO LOW FUEL, AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ALTERNATOR FAILED DUE TO A SHORT FROM FIELD TO GROUND. THE BRUSHES AND PULLEY END BEARING WERE WORN, AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS OIL SOAKED.
Full Narrative
AS THE FLT APPROACHED DESTINATION THE ALTERNATOR BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. PLT CONTINUED TO DESTINATION WHICH WAS IMC, AND AS THE GEAR WAS LOWERED DURING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH THE NOSE GEAR INDICATED UNSAFE. THE APPROACH WAS DISCONTINUED AND THE PLT CLIMBED BACK TO VMC-ON-TOP. AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET A SAFE INDICATION ON THE NOSE GEAR, COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE OCCURRED. HAVING NO COMMUNICATION OR NAVIGATIONAL CAPABILITY, THE PLT RETRACED HIS ROUTE BACK TO KNOWN VMC ABOUT 60 MI SW OF OMAHA. AN OFF-AIRPORT PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE DUE TO LOW FUEL, AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ALTERNATOR FAILED DUE TO A SHORT FROM FIELD TO GROUND. THE BRUSHES AND PULLEY END BEARING WERE WORN, AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS OIL SOAKED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:20 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32R-300
Tail NumberN6855F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHeartland Enterprises
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility1 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0