# NTSB FTW91FA084: Piper PA-28-140, N6181W, Folsom, LA, May 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1991, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Folsom, LA
- Coordinates: 30.629552, -90.190681 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6296&lon=-90.1907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23262
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91FA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23262/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA084

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN PERFORMING THE BUZZING MANEUVER AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT HAD NOTIFIED HIS BROTHER TO PHOTOGRAPH THE LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVERS OVER HIS RESIDENCE. MULTIPLE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO BE OPERATING AT A LOW ALTITUDE ESTIMATED TO BE 40 TO 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. ON A RIGHT TURN BACK TO THE BROTHER'S LOCATION CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WAS LOST. THE AIRPLANE, WHICH WAS BANKED IN EXCESS OF 45 DEGREES, STALLED, ROLLED RIGHT TO AN INVERTED POSITION, AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN AN 80 DEGREE NOSE LOW ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6181W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6181W-2013-02-11), registration cancelled 2013-02-11, S/N 28-20204, built 1964 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-20204
- Airframe hours: 3552
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Eiermann, doing business as Top Gun Aviation
- Registered owner: William J. Mcnabb
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1991, 52 hours before
- Departed: 0R9, HAMMOND, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 30 total, 23 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NEW, 37 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 19910526017169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910526017169A), May 26, 1991: Piper PA28140, Folsom, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Low level maneuvers over residence. Being photographed by brother,made steep turn, stalled and crashed.

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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