# NTSB FTW69F0412: Piper PA-32, N3853W, Sarepta, LA, March 31, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 31, 1969
- Place: Sarepta, LA · SAREPTA, LA
- Location: 32.8950° N, 93.4515° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sarepta, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8950&lon=-93.4515&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1969
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 190971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW69F0412
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69F0412

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0621  69/3/31    SAREPTA,LA          PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 23, 231
        TIME - 2300                    N3853W              PX-  0  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 5 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- STRUCK MAIL BOX AND FENCE TRYING TO AVOID TREES.FUEL SELECTOR ON EMPTY TANK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3853W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3853W-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N 32-794, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N3853W (2)

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 ANC02LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA095), Aug 14, 2002: Piper PA-32-260 (N3853W), Red Devil, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason during the initial climb after takeoff that resulted in a collision with trees. A contributing factor in the accident was rising terrain…
- [NTSB MIA68D0024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68D0024), Jun 11, 1967: Piper PA-32 (N3853W), Miami, FL, substantial damage

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.

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