Casualties unknown

1983-06-27: Piper PA-23-250 (N4903P) — Franklinton, LA

Franklinton, LA, US

On June 27, 1983, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N4903P) was involved in an aviation accident near Franklinton, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of control during landing on a wet, soft private strip, which resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway and colliding with a tree. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

The pilot lost control of the aircraft while landing on a rain-softened private strip, causing it to veer off the runway and strike a tree. A post-crash fire completely destroyed the plane.

What happened

The aircraft was operating on a private strip when conditions deteriorated due to rainfall. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot encountered rain and decided to return to the airport for landing. The precipitation had significantly affected the ground surface, causing the private strip to become soft and lose structural integrity.

During the landing attempt, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. Instead of remaining on the designated runway, the plane veered off the side of the strip. It then collided with a tree located near the perimeter of the airfield. The impact was severe enough to ignite a post-crash fire, which subsequently destroyed the entire aircraft.

The investigation

Examination of the site and the wreckage confirmed that the primary factor in the accident was the loss of directional control during the landing phase. The ground surface conditions were identified as a critical element, with the rain having softened the strip to the point where it could not support normal landing operations without risk of deviation.

Findings

The sequence of events indicates that weather played a direct role in the outcome. The pilot's decision to return to the same location after encountering rain likely contributed to the hazard, as the private strip had become unsafe for landing due to saturation. The collision with the tree was a direct result of the aircraft leaving the runway surface.

loss of control during landing

The destruction of the aircraft was caused by the initial impact and the subsequent fire. No further mechanical failures were cited as contributing factors; the event was driven by environmental conditions and the resulting inability to maintain the aircraft on the intended path.

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control during landing on a wet, soft private strip, which resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway and colliding with a tree.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X43367. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.