Accident Piper PA-28R-201T N2943Z, Friday 13 May 1983

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Date:	Friday 13 May 1983
Time:	09:30 LT
Type:	Piper PA-28R-201T
Owner/operator:	James Elwood & Ken Lowe Arct.
Registration:	N2943Z
MSN:	28R 7931268
Total airframe hrs:	913 hours
Engine model:	Continental TSIO-360-FB
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Aurora, CO - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Englewood, CO (APA
Destination airport:	Topeka, KS (KTOP)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PLT RECEIVED A JUMP START BECAUSE THE BATTERY FAILED TO START THE ENG. AFTER DEPARTURE & LEVELING OF AT 10,000 FT, HE WAS CONCERNED WITH THE 1 INCH OF RIME ICE HE HAD PICKED UP & GOT AN UPDATED WX BRIEFING FROM FLT WATCH. HE ASKED FOR & RECEIVED A CLEARANCE BACK TO ARAPAHOE ARPT. DURING LETDOWN TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE OCCURRED. AFTER BREAKING OUT OF THE OVERCAST HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE COLUMBINE ARPT. WHILE FLYING IN & OUT OF CLOUDS THE ACFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RWY DURING THE 2ND LANDING ATTEMPT. ABOUT 1-1/2 INCHES OF ICE HAD ACCUMULATED ON THE ACFT. EXAM OF THE BATTERY REVEALED THATIT HAD BEEN EXPOSED TO VERY HIGH OPERATING TEMPS. THE 6 CELLS WERE DRY. THE TOP OF THE BATTERY BORE EVIDENCE OF PAINT BUBBLING & CASE DISTORTION.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: