# NTSB FTW85LA234: Piper PA-36-400, N9907P, Cheneyville, LA, May 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1985, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Cheneyville, LA
- Coordinates: 31.009189, -92.279762 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0092&lon=-92.2798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21759/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA234

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE HAD ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF IN A LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND WITH A 1200 LB LOAD OF SEED RICE. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT BEGAN A SHALLOW TURN AND THE NOSE DROPPED. THE PLT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE ACFT, BUT IT CONTACTED THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE. HE WAS HOSPITALIZED, BUT HAVING USED BOTH SEAT BELTS & SHOULDER HARNESS, HE SUFFERED NO BROKEN BONES. THE PLT REPORTED NO ENG PROBLEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9907P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-400
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA-36750012
- Airframe hours: 3393
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Lyle'S Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1985
- Airport: Lyle'S Flying, runway 27

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 8,949 total, 2,710 in this make and model, 8,949 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- 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 19850528021129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850528021129A), May 28, 1985: Piper PA36285, Cheneyville, LA, Substantial damage. Early liftoff on a downwind takeoff. Impacted ground in flat attitude during stall recovery.

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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