# NTSB FTW85LA357: Piper PA-32RT-300, N31919, Ruston, LA, September 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1985, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Ruston, LA
- Location: 32.5132° N, 92.5884° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at RUSTON RGNL (RSN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5132&lon=-92.5884&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): 21856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA357
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA357

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THIS 110 HOUR PRIVATE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE LANDING IN A 90 DEGREE CROSS WIND AND VEERED INTO A PICKUP TRUCK SPRAYING HERBICIDE ON THE RUNWAY EDGE LIGHTS. TWO CITY EMPLOYEES SAW THE AIRCRAFT COMING TOWARDS THEM AND ESCAPED WITHOUT INJURY, BUT THE OUTBOARD LEFT WING OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE CAB OF THE PICKUP TRUCK WEREDESTROYED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N31919 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7885140
- Airframe hours: 1917
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James D. Young
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1985
- Departed: LFT, LAFAYETTE, LA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: RSN, Ruston Muni, runway 34, 4,000 × 90 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 107 total, 14 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 33 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 19850924047059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850924047059A), Sep 24, 1985: Piper PA32RT300, Ruston, LA, Substantial damage. Veered during crosswind rollout and wing struck weed spraying truck parked off runway.

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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