# NTSB FTW77DRD27: Piper PA 28, N5835U, Free Mason Is., LA, May 22, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: May 22, 1977
- Place: Free Mason Is., LA · FREE MASON IS., LA
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 158189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW77DRD27
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77DRD27

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1110  77/5/22    FREE MASON IS.,LA   PIPER PA 28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 32, 214
        TIME - 1645                    N5835U              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FREE MASON ISLAND
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NEW ORLEANS,LA              FREE MASON IS.,LA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        REMARKS- HIT MOUND OF SHELLS
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5835U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5835U-2012-11-21), registration cancelled 2012-11-21, S/N 28-26666, built 1969 (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
- Airport: Free Mason Island

## 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 19770522013849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770522013849A), May 22, 1977: Piper PA28140, Free Mason Is., LA, Substantial damage. Hit mound of shells

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
