# NTSB FTW83FA027: Piper PA-31-350, N41045, Baton Rouge, LA, October 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1982, 05:05 local (11:05 UTC)
- Place: Baton Rouge, LA
- Coordinates: 30.449766, -91.189178 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4498&lon=-91.1892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA027

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AND BURNED SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF IN DARKNESS ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN. THE WEATHER WAS REPORTED AS INDEFINITE CEILING, ZERO OBSCURATION, VISIBILITY 1/4 MI WITH FOG, WIND 120 DEG AT 5 KTS. A NUMBER OF WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRCRAFT, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER TAKEOFF. THE CONSENSUS OF THEIR STATEMENTS INDICATED THAT ONE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE THE OTHER CONTINUED RUNNING AT A HIGH POWER SETTING. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AN INTENSE POSTCRASH FIRE HAD CONSUMED MOST OF THE AIRCRAFT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE PLANE HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE AND DID NOT MOVE AFTER IMPACT. THE RIGHT PROPELLER WAS FOUND IN A FEATHERED POSITION. THE LEFT PROPELLER BLADES WERE CURLED AND TWISTED. BOTH ENGINES WERE DISASSEMBLE, BUT NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE GEAR AND FLAPS WERE RETRACTED AND THE COWL FLAPS WERE CLOSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41045](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41045-1989-03-20), registration cancelled 1989-03-20, S/N 318252020 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-825020
- Airframe hours: 290
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Moore Data Systems, Inc.
- Registered owner: Moore Data Systems, Inc.
- Departed: BTR, BATON ROUGE, LA
- Destination: C, CHARLESTON, WY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BTR, Ryan Airport, runway 4, 6,900 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,784 total, 336 in this make and model, 1,605 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Temperature: 153 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTR

## 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 19821031055859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821031055859A), Oct 31, 1982: Piper PA31350, Baton Rouge, LA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Right engine quit on takeoff climb. Aircraft impacted vertically. Right prop feathered. Popping sound prior takeoff.

## Other investigations on N41045 (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 MIA82IA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82IA110), Apr 3, 1982: Piper PA-31-350 (N41045), Tallahassee, FL, incident, minor 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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