# Accident 20010703019079A: Piper PA32R300, Belle Chasse, LA, July 3, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 3, 2001, 21:20 local time
- Place: Belle Chasse, LA
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.8394° N, 89.9990° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8394&lon=-89.9990&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5883V, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5883V-2002-01-14) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32R-300 (registry code 7103213, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32R300
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW01LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA158) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010703019079A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) PILOT ENROUTE FROM JONESVILLE, LA, (L32) WITH INTENTION OF LANDING AT SOUTHERN PRIVATE AIRPORT (65LA). PILOT CONTACTED NEW ORLEANS APPROACH FOR CLEARANCE INTO CLASS B. WITHIN 10 MILES OF INTENDED AIRPORT, PILOT HANDED OFF TO NAVY NEW ORLEANS TOWER. PILOT CLEARED TO PROCEED FOR LANDING AT SOUTHERN. PILOT REQUEST LANDING DIRECTION AND NAVY TOWER STATES SEAPLANES HAVE BEEN LANDING TO THE SOUTH ON THE WATER. NO FURTHER CONTACT.  RADAR DATA SHOWS VARYING ALTITUDE DOWN TO 2OO FEET AND LOST TARGETS.  TRACK INDICATES PILOT PASSED OVER AND NEAR AIRPORT TWICE.  WITNESSES INDICATED VERY LOW ALTITUDE.  AIRCRAFT IMPACTED ELECTRICAL WIRE POLL AND GUIDE WIRE, IGNITING INTO FLAMES.  AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN NEARBY INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY CANAL. INVESTIGATION SHOWED INCORRECT FREQUENCY IN RADIOS TO ACTIVATE RUNWAY LIGHTS.  AIRPORT IS PRIVATE AND CONTAINS NO BEACON.  ACQUAINTANCE OF THE PILOT WAS WAITING AT THE AIRPORT.  INTERVIEW OF THIS GENTLEMAN AND HIS WIFE INDICATED NO RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED. SOME VOICE SLURRING AND MISSED RADIO CALLS DURING REVIEW OF ATC TAPES, ALONG WITH PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF CORONER'S AUTOPSY INDICATES THE PILOT MAY HAVE BEEN ALCOHOL IMPAIRED FLYING TOO LOW IN SE ARCH OF UN-LIGHTED RUNWAY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW01LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA158), Jul 4, 2001: Piper PA-32R-300 (N5883V), Belle Chase, LA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a utility pole while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the pilot's impairment due to alcohol intoxication and the night light conditions.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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