# NTSB FTW86FA034: Piper PA-28-140, N5655U, Deville, LA, January 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1986, 16:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Deville, LA
- Coordinates: 31.339351, -92.149528 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3394&lon=-92.1495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA034

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command
  - low pass - performed
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT HAD PREVIOUSLY FLOWN THIS ACFT IN FLT TRAINING. HOWEVER, THE INSURANCE FOR THE ACFT HAD LAPSED & THE OWNER HAD SECURED THE ACFT TO A TIE-DOWN WITH A CHAIN & PAD LOCK TO PREVENT IT FROM BEING FLOWN. AFTER THE CHAIN WAS CUT WITH A HACK SAW, THE STUDENT FLEW IT ON AN UNAUTHORIZED FLT. DURING THE FLT, HE FLEW OVER & CIRCLED THE HOMES OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT RELATIVES. WHILE THE PLT WAS MAKING A 2ND CIRCLE AROUND THE HOME OF A SISTER, THE LEFT WING OF THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TOP OF A LARGE TREE. THE ACFT THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER TREE & LODGED ABOUT 20 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE STUDENT PLT'S ENDORSEMENT FOR SOLO FLT HAD EXPIRED 17 DAYS PRIOR TO THIS FLT. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS SHOWED THAT HIS BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 162 MG% (0.162%) & HIS URINE/ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 212 MG% (0.212%).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5655U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5655U-1994-02-16), registration cancelled 1994-02-16, S/N 2826451 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-26451
- Airframe hours: 2572
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Donald J. Laborde
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1985, 17 hours before
- Departed: LA26, MARKSVILLE, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 33 total, 6 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 19 °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 19860113000569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860113000569A), Jan 13, 1986: Piper PA28140, Deville, LA, Destroyed. Cut chain locking aircraft to tiedown. Hit trees buzzing a house while intoxicated. Solo endorsement had run out.

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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