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NTSB Report
April 17, 1983 · Piper PA-28-161 · N3572Z
Breaux Bridge, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 17, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Breaux Bridge, LA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N3572Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW83LA190
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF AT NIGHT FROM AN UNLIT TURF STRIP. JUST BEFORE THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF, TWO SETS OF VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIRECTED DOWN BOTH SIDES OF THE RNWY TO HELP THE PILOT IN THE TAKEOFF. ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RNWY, APRX 1500 FEET DOWN, WAS A GROUP OF BUSHES FROM 10 TO 30 FEET TALL. THE GRASS ON THE RUNWAY WAS ABOUT 8 INCHES TALL AND WET. THE EDGES OF THE RUNWAY WERE NOT EASY TO DETERMINE, THUS HE STARTED HIS TAKEOFF ROLL TO THE RIGHT OF CENTERLINE. USING SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF TECHNIQUE HE ROTATED AT ABOUT 20 KTS LIMITING HIS FORWARD VISIBILITY. AT ABOUT 40-45 KTS THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE BUSHES CAUSING HIM TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE ACFT LEFT THE RNWY, SPUN 180 DEGREES AND CAME TO REST IN A PLOWED FIELD ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF AT NIGHT FROM AN UNLIT TURF STRIP. JUST BEFORE THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF, TWO SETS OF VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIRECTED DOWN BOTH SIDES OF THE RNWY TO HELP THE PILOT IN THE TAKEOFF. ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RNWY, APRX 1500 FEET DOWN, WAS A GROUP OF BUSHES FROM 10 TO 30 FEET TALL. THE GRASS ON THE RUNWAY WAS ABOUT 8 INCHES TALL AND WET. THE EDGES OF THE RUNWAY WERE NOT EASY TO DETERMINE, THUS HE STARTED HIS TAKEOFF ROLL TO THE RIGHT OF CENTERLINE. USING SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF TECHNIQUE HE ROTATED AT ABOUT 20 KTS LIMITING HIS FORWARD VISIBILITY. AT ABOUT 40-45 KTS THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE BUSHES CAUSING HIM TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE ACFT LEFT THE RNWY, SPUN 180 DEGREES AND CAME TO REST IN A PLOWED FIELD ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:40 CST
Nearest AirportBORDELON (0nm N)
Runway24
Runway Length2950 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN3572Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO