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NTSB Report
March 12, 1989 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8369K
New Orleans, LA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 12, 1989
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
New Orleans, LA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8369K
Operator
Russell Floyd C
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW89FA065
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.
NTSB 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.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:17 CST
Nearest AirportLakefront (0nm N)
Runway36R
Runway Length3699 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8369K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRussell Floyd C
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 8 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:25
Weather SourceWFAC