# NTSB FTW84LA261: Piper PA-28-160, N5977W, Ferriday, LA, May 31, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1984, 18:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Ferriday, LA
- Coordinates: 31.630584, -91.549156 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6306&lon=-91.5492&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): 21358
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA261
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21358/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA261

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

UPON LANDING THE ACFT TRAVELED OFF THE SIDE OF THE AIRSTRIP AND NOSED OVER IN A SMALL DITCH. THE STUDENT PLT WAS NOT ENDORSED BY A CFI FOR LANDING AT THIS AIRSTRIP WHILE ON THE X-COUNTRY FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5977W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5977W-1990-03-19), registration cancelled 1990-03-19, S/N 284054 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4054
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scriven L. Bernard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MLU, MONROE, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCB, 68 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 19840531020549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840531020549A), May 31, 1984: Piper PA28160, Ferriday, LA, Substantial damage. Student lost control on a unauthorized landing on a Private strip. Left the grass runway and nosed over in a ditch.

## Other investigations on N5977W (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 MIA70D0198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70D0198), Oct 5, 1969: Piper PA-28 (N5977W), Birmingham, AL, substantial 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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