# NTSB FTW84LAMS4: Piper PA-32-260, N3545W, Lafayette, LA, May 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1984, 00:00 local (05:00 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, LA
- Location: 30.2241° N, 92.0198° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lafayette, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2241&lon=-92.0198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LAMS4
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LAMS4

## Sequence of events

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

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE 5/10/84. THE OWNER CALLED FOR HIS ACFT PREFLIGHTED AND DEPARTED ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING. AN OFF SHORE OIL RIG SPOTTED A TWIN ENGINE ACFT HEADING SOUTH. SEARCH EFFORTS BY CAP WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PLT GAVE NO INDICATION OF HIS INTENTIONS OR POSSIBLE DESTINATION. THE PLACE OF DEPARTURE IS USED AS AN ARBITRARY LOCATION OF ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3545W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-432
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gordon E. Dugal Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 1984, 22 hours before
- Departed: LFT, LAFAYETTE, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT

## 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 19840510018049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840510018049A), May 10, 1984: Piper PA32260, East Cameron, LA, Destroyed. Departed at 1234 on a VFR flight last seen heading south towards gulf of Mexico. Became missing. No trace.

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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