Piper PA-32RT-300T accident near Addison, Texas, October 12, 1989
On October 12, 1989 at about 1:28 am local time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, registered N30263, was substantially damaged in an accident near Addison, Texas (Dallas Addison airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE THE TAXI DURING DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS WITHOUT TAXIWAY LIGHTS, AN OPERABLE LANDING LIGHT OR, ASSISTANCE FROM AIRPORT PERSONNEL.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 12, 1989 · about 1:28 am local time
- Place
- Addison, Texas · Dallas Addison · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30 · all PA-32RT-300Ts on the register
- Registration
- N30263 · registry record · serial 32R-7887275
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,520 hours in all; 950 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 2,311 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TI0-540-S1AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Aviation Joint Ventures, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: GJT Grand Junction CO at 8:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.