# NTSB FTW84FA329: Piper PA-28-161, N4314D, Lake Charles, LA, July 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1984, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Lake Charles, LA
- Coordinates: 30.129367, -93.269798 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1294&lon=-93.2698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21138
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA329
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21138/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA329

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - maneuver - attempted, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, dual student
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command(cfi)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

AT APRX 250 FT AG., ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, ENG SOUNDS INDICATED THAT POWER WAS REDUCED TO IDLE. THE ACFT ROLLED INTO A STEEP LEFT DESCENDING TURN FOLLOWED BY THE APPLICATION OF POWER JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE CFI WAS KNOWN TO HAVE GIVEN OTHER STUDENTS SIMULATED ENG FAILURES SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. AN OPEN FIELD IS ADJACENT TO THE ARPT ON THE RWY EXTENDED CENTERLINE. DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENG REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN INTERRUPTION OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4314D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4314D-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N 28-8316104, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288316104
- Airframe hours: 488
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Mcfillen Air Charter Inc
- Registered owner: Lynn E. Foret
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 1984, 92 hours before
- Departed: 4RO, LAKE CHARLES, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,828 total, 1,681 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LCH, 1 nm away

## 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 19840730075129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840730075129A), Jul 30, 1984: Piper PA28161, Lake Charles, LA, Destroyed. Executed steep climb after lift off. Engine power retarded, steep descending turn, full power and impacted ground.

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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