# NTSB FTW83LA307: Piper PA-23-250, N4903P, Franklinton, LA, June 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1983, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Franklinton, LA
- Coordinates: 30.839914, -90.139961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8399&lon=-90.1400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20955
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA307
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20955/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA307

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT SLID INTO A TREE DURING A LANDING ON A WET RWY. THE PLT HAD ENCOUNTERED THE RAIN SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND RETURNED TO THE ARPT. THE PRIVATE STRIP HAD BECOME SOFT FROM THE RAIN AND THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE STRIP AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4903P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4903P-2013-09-12), registration cancelled 2013-09-12, S/N 27-494, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-494
- Airframe hours: 3443
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lee W. Barber
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1982, 40 hours before
- Departed: FRANKLINTON, LA
- Airport: runway 9, 1,800 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,341 total, 871 in this make and model, 1,230 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19830627030639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830627030639A), Jun 27, 1983: Piper PA23250, Franklinton, LA, Destroyed. Aircraft touched down on soft runway and gear sank in causing pilot to loose directional control.

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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