# NTSB FTW84LA334: Piper PA-28-181, N8304D, Woodworth, LA, August 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1984, 09:05 local (14:05 UTC)
- Place: Woodworth, LA
- Coordinates: 31.150346, -92.499725 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1503&lon=-92.4997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA334
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21416/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA334

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command
  - landed at wrong airport - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - inadvertent use, pilot in command
  - total, pilot in command
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT APPROACHED AN UNFAMILIAR AREA AT LESS THAN 500 FT AGL AND LANDED ON AN ABANDONED DRAG RACE STRIP ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE DEST AIRP. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST VERY SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN WHEN THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH DIRT PILES ON THE SURFACE OF THE DRAG STRIP. THE ACFT CAME TO REST AFTER ROLLING INTO A TREE OFF THE EDGE OF THE STRIP. THE DIRT PILES WERE PLACED ON THE ABANDONED STRIP TO DISCOURAGE AUTOMOBILE RACING. THE PLT WAS ISSUED HIS CERTIFICATE ON 7-18-84.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8304D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8304D-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 28-8190105, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8190105
- Airframe hours: 1303
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Allan J. Reed
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1984, 26 hours before
- Departed: F26, PLANO, TX
- Destination: 1R4, WOODWORTH, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 89 total, 32 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19840802037009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840802037009A), Aug 2, 1984: Piper PA28181, Woodworth, LA, Substantial damage. Mistook former drag strip for runway. Wheel struck pile of dirt. Dirt piles were hard to see.

## Other investigations on N8304D (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 FTW81FPJ36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FPJ36), Aug 22, 1981: Piper PA-28 (N8304D), Blanchard, OK, 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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