# NTSB FTW76FRD44: Piper PA-28, N8730E, Lafayette, LA, May 9, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 9, 1976
- Place: Lafayette, LA · LAFAYETTE, LA
- Location: 30.2241° N, 92.0198° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lafayette, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2241&lon=-92.0198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 153326
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW76FRD44
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FRD44

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1021   76/5/9  NR.LAFAYETTE,LA       PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 46, 311
        TIME - UNK/NR                  N8730E              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 176 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          AUSTIN,TX                  LAFAYETTE,LA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           TERRAIN - OTHER
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - COMMUNICATIONS FAILURE
           INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES - COMMUNICATIONS AND NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT: VOR RECEIVERS
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  LOW ON FUEL
        REMARKS- PLT STATED VOR & COMM EQUIP FAILED.UN LOCATE ARPT SO LND ON ROAD.R WG HIT UNK OBJECT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8730E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8730E-2006-04-10), registration cancelled 2006-04-10, S/N 28-7625151, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19760509011659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760509011659A), May 9, 1976: Piper PA28140, Lafayette, LA, Substantial damage. Plt stated VOR & comm equip failed. Un locate arpt so lnd on road.r wg hit unk object.

## Other investigations on N8730E (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 NYC05CA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA076), Apr 27, 2005: Piper PA-28-140 (N8730E), Indian Head, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance while on final approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor in this accident was the gusty wind conditions.

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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