# NTSB FTW87LA001: Piper PA-30, N7533Y, Sulpher, LA, October 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1986, 19:30 local (Oct 2, 1986, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Sulpher, LA
- Coordinates: 30.210781, -93.199882 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2108&lon=-93.1999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22285
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22285/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - buzzing - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - failure,total
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED LONG AT A PRIVATE GRASS AIRSTRIP AND DELIBERATELY GROUND LOOPED THE AIRCRAFT TO AVOID OVERRUNNING THE AIRSTRIP INTO A THREE FOOT DITCH. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE GROUND LOOP AND THE WINGS AND MAIN GEARS WERE DAMAGED WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SLID SIDEWAYS ACROSS A DITCH AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED LITTLE BRAKING ACTION AS THE AIRSTRIP WAS WET FROM RECENT RAINS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7533Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7533Y), registered now, S/N 30-596, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-596
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brian A. Dunlop
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1986
- Departed: LCH, LAKE CHARLES, LA
- Airport: runway 18, 2,600 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,578 total, 800 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 231 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LCH, 12 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 19861001048899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861001048899A), Oct 1, 1986: Piper PA30, Sulpher, LA, Substantial damage. Landed long and intentionally ground looped to avoid a ditch at the end of the runway.

## Other investigations on N7533Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA67F0523](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67F0523), May 6, 1967: Piper PA-30 (N7533Y), Jacksonville, FL, substantial damage

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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