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Accidents · NTSB FTW83LA248 · Preliminary: the investigation is not finished

Piper PA-22-108 accident near Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, May 25, 1983

On May 25, 1983 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-22-108, registered N5208Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
May 25, 1983 · about 10:00 pm local time
Place
Breaux Bridge, Louisiana · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-108 · all PA-22-108s on the register
Registration
N5208Z · registry record · serial 22-8878
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING LANDING ON A WET SOFT PRIVATE GRASS STRIP. DURING LANDING THE NOSE GEAR DUG IN AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE NEEDED MORE EXPERIENCE IN JUDGING GRASS STRIP CONDITIONS.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.

The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land
  • Flight time: 362 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 206 as pilot in command
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
  • Seat: left

The aircraft

  • Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, July 11, 1982
  • Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Lycoming O-235-C1B (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: Breaux Bridge LA at 7:50 pm
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 36, 2,500 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 045° at 6 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.

Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.