Piper PA-32R-300 N5883V
4 July 2001 · Belle Chase, Louisiana, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 4 July 2001 at about 02:25 local time, a Piper PA-32R-300 registered N5883V was involved in an accident near Belle Chase, Louisiana, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 02:25
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Belle Chase, Louisiana, United States
- Nearest airport
- Southern Seaplane Airport (65LA)
- Coordinates
- 29.8394, -89.9990
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-300
- Registration
- N5883V
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Jonesville → Belle Chase
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night
- NTSB number
- FTW01LA158
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a utility pole while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the pilot's impairment due to alcohol intoxication and the night light conditions.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The private pilot attempted to find an unlit airport at night. Radar data depicted the airplane flying low at various altitudes on two separate occasions. Witnesses located near the accident site stated that they observed the airplane flying low until it impacted a utility pole. The airplane burst into flames after impact with the pole and descended into a canal. Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies with the aircraft or engine. The pilot did not have the frequency selected for the pilot controlled runway lighting system at the private airport, and a witness stated that the runway lights were not illuminated. Toxicology tests performed on the pilot revealed that he was intoxicated (0.14% ethanol in vitreous fluid) at the time of the accident.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-32R accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Sep 2001 | Piper PA-32R-301 | Byhalia, Mississippi, United States | Mark D. Valentino | Fatal | 2 |
| 9 Mar 2001 | Piper PA-32R-300 | Essex, California, United States | Jay Black | Fatal | 2 |
| 7 Sep 2001 | Piper PA-32R-301T | Downers Grove, Illinois, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 25 Jul 2001 | Piper PA-32R-301T | Sandy Hook, New Jersey, United States | William L. Teubner | No injuries | - |
| 21 Sep 2001 | Piper PA-32R-301 | Waco, Texas, United States | Michael L. Oatman | No injuries | - |
| 22 Jun 2001 | Piper PA-32R-301 | Greenwich, Connecticut, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Aug 2001 | Donald A Chiasson FP-404 | Port Allen, Louisiana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Aug 2001 | Grumman G164B | Rayville, Louisiana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 24 Aug 2001 | Bell 206L-3 | Cameron, Louisiana, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 22 Apr 2001 | Joe Underwood LAZER Z | Bossier City, Louisiana, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 Jun 2001 | Cessna 172S | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Nov 2001 | Air Tractor AT-802A | Benton, Louisiana, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |