NTSB FTW90LA009 — 1989-10-11 · ADDISON, Texas, United States

N30263 has since been reassigned. It is now registered to a different aircraft (CESSNA AIRCRAFT CO 162, built 2011), which was not involved in this event.

Aircraft involved

N30263 Piper PA-32RT-300T None

Probable cause & findings

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE THE TAXI DURING DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS WITHOUT TAXIWAY LIGHTS, AN OPERABLE LANDING LIGHT OR, ASSISTANCE FROM AIRPORT PERSONNEL.

Factual narrative

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAXI TO PARKING IN DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS WITHOUT AN OPERABLE LANDING LIGHT. THE TAXIWAY TO THE PARKING RAMP WAS MARKED BY REFLECTORS ONLY. THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS POSITION AND EXITED THE HARD SURFACE, STRIKING A FIBERGLASS POLE ABOUT 13 FEET NORTH OF THE TAXIWAY. THE WING SPAR WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE MAIN GEAR THEN SETTLED INTO A DITCH AREA. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1989_FTW90LA009.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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