# NTSB FTW89FA065: Piper PA-28-161, N8369K, New Orleans, LA, March 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1989, 11:17 local (17:17 UTC)
- Place: New Orleans, LA
- Location: 29.9546° N, 90.0751° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Orleans, LA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9546&lon=-90.0751&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22762
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22762/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA065

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DIVERTING HIS ATTENTION FROM FLYING THE AIRCRAFT WHILE COMPLYING WITH THE DEPARTURE CONTROL INSTRUCTIONS, AND ALLOWING THE AIRCRAFT TO DESCEND INTO THE WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 36 RIGHT, THE PILOT WAS INSTRUCTED BY ATC TO TURN LEFT TO 320 DEGS, WHICH THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED. HE WAS THEN TOLD TO CONTACT DEPARTURE CONTROL, WHICH HE ACKNOWLEDGED. HE WAS CALLING DEPARTURE CONTROL WHEN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE WATER APPROXIMATELY 4,000' FEET  BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE WEATHER AT THE TIME WAS INDEFINATE, SKY OBSCURED, 1/8 MILE VISIBILITY IN FOG. NO AIRCRAFT FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8369K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8369K-2013-09-12), registration cancelled 2013-09-12, S/N 28-8116199, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116199
- Airframe hours: 552
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Russell, Floyd C.
- Registered owner: Floyd C. Russell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1988, 75 hours before
- Departed: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA
- Destination: 3R7, JENNINGS, LA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: NEW, Lakefront, runway 36R, 3,699 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NEW

## 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 19890312003719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890312003719A), Mar 12, 1989: Piper PA28161, New Orleans, LA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Collided with water of lake ponchartrain shortly after takeoff in instrument conditions.

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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