# NTSB FTW83LA190: Piper PA-28-161, N3572Z, Breaux Bridge, LA, April 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1983, 20:40 local (Apr 17, 1983, 02:40 UTC)
- Place: Breaux Bridge, LA
- Coordinates: 30.270982, -91.900505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2710&lon=-91.9005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA190

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF AT NIGHT FROM AN UNLIT TURF STRIP. JUST BEFORE THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF, TWO SETS OF VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIRECTED DOWN BOTH SIDES OF THE RNWY TO HELP THE PILOT IN THE TAKEOFF. ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RNWY, APRX 1500 FEET DOWN, WAS A GROUP OF BUSHES FROM 10 TO 30 FEET TALL. THE GRASS ON THE RUNWAY WAS ABOUT 8 INCHES TALL AND WET. THE EDGES OF THE RUNWAY WERE NOT EASY TO DETERMINE, THUS HE STARTED HIS TAKEOFF ROLL TO THE RIGHT OF CENTERLINE. USING SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF TECHNIQUE HE ROTATED AT ABOUT 20 KTS LIMITING HIS FORWARD VISIBILITY. AT ABOUT 40-45 KTS THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE BUSHES CAUSING HIM TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE ACFT LEFT THE RNWY, SPUN 180 DEGREES AND CAME TO REST IN A PLOWED FIELD ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3572Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8016214
- Airframe hours: 922
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ron Wriborg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1982, 73 hours before
- Destination: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA
- Airport: LA05, Bordelon, runway 24, 2,950 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 785 total, 219 in this make and model, 658 as pilot in command, 183 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830416018709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830416018709A), Apr 16, 1983: Piper PA28161, Breaux Bridge, LA, Substantial damage. Wing caught bushes on edge of unmowed grass runway. Aircraft ground looped. Auto headlights used on unlighted strip

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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