# NTSB FTW85FA247: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N4507V, Pineville, LA, June 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1985, 10:31 local (15:31 UTC)
- Place: Pineville, LA
- Coordinates: 31.329004, -92.409324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3290&lon=-92.4093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious, 2 minor; on the ground: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21554/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA247

## 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
  - airspeed - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT LANDED LONG AND FAST ON THE RELATIVELY SHORT, SLOPING RUNWAY. AFTER BOUNCING FOUR TIMES, THE PILOT RAPIDLY ADDED THROTTLE ON THE TURBOCHARGER-EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT AND ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB. WITNESSES OBSERVED SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST, AND DESCRIBED HIGH PITCH ATTITUDE AND LOW AIRSPEED AS THE AIRCRAFT NARROWLY CLEARED A ROAD-SIDE PARKING AREA ON A HILL OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED STALL & POST-STALL GYRATION, AND COLLIDED WITH THE STRESSED CONCRETE ROOF OF A WOMEN'S DORMITORY AT CENTRAL STATE HOSPITAL. FIRE ERUPTED; FOUR PATIENTS WERE INJURED. BOTH AIRCRAFT OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES. TEARDOWN REVEALED NO MECH. MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4507V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4507V-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 28R-7931286, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7931286
- Airframe hours: 925
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ryan Bickham
- Registered owner: Ed Bratton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1985, 15 hours before
- Departed: SHV, SHREVEPORT, LA
- Airport: 9LAG, Pineville Munt, runway 17, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ESF, 9 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 19850607023289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850607023289A), Jun 7, 1985: Piper PA28R201T, Pineville, LA, Destroyed. Bounced on landing and went around. Stalled in turn, struck building at central state hospital, burst into flames.

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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