On August 12, 1983, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration N21537) was involved in an aviation accident near Ville Platte, LA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot took off after a weather briefing advising VFR not recommended due to thunderstorms. Witnesses saw the aircraft's wing separate before crashing. Toxicology showed elevated blood alcohol.
Incident Overview
Prior to takeoff, the pilot had received a weather briefing and was advised that visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended. He was given Convective SIGMET 13C, which called for thunderstorms with tops above 45,000 feet throughout his route of flight. Approximately 25 minutes after takeoff, four witnesses observed the aircraft just before it crashed. Two witnesses stated that they saw the aircraft in a turn at about 300 feet when a wing separated. The other two witnesses stated that the wing had already separated when they saw the aircraft. A heavy thunderstorm was in progress at the time.
Examination of Wreckage
An examination of the wreckage revealed that the right wing had failed in an upward direction, and both horizontal stabilators had separated downward. The pilot's blood alcohol level was found to be 0.136 percent.
What happened in the 12 Aug 1983 Piper PA-28-181 accident near Ville Platte, LA?
A pilot took off after a weather briefing advising VFR not recommended due to thunderstorms. Witnesses saw the aircraft's wing separate before crashing. Toxicology showed elevated blood alcohol.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 12 Aug 1983 involved a Piper PA-28-181, registration N21537, at Ville Platte, LA.
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