CEN21LA018

The pilot was conducting a cross-country flight with one passenger on board. Air traffic control and automatic dependent surveillance broadcast data indicated that the airplane departed and flew a northwest heading and climbed through 1,500 ft mean sea level (msl). The airplane turned left to a southeast heading and continued to climb through 1,700 ft before it started to descend. The last recorded location was about 1.86 miles from the accident site at an altitude of about 825 ft msl. The airplane impacted marshy terrain about 7 miles southwest of the departure airport. Ground scars at the accident site illustrated a straight path and were consistent with wings-level attitude at the time of impact. The ground scar continued for about 40 yards from the initial impact point towards and through a line of trees. The main wreckage came to rest on the opposite side of the trees and included the empennage, fuselage, and both wings. Damage to the airplane was consistent with a high energy impact. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Investigators were unable to determine the reason for the descent into terrain with the available information.

On October 16, 2020, about 1113 central daylight time, a Cessna T182T airplane, N707DA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Houma, Louisiana. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to air traffic control data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot contacted ground control at Houma-Terrebonne Airport (HUM), Houma, Louisiana, with ATIS information “T”, and was instructed to taxi to runway 36. The airplane departed from runway 36 about 1109 and was en route to Brenham Municipal Airport (11R), Brenham, Texas. A review of automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed that after departure, the airplane flew a northwest heading and climbed through 1,500 ft mean sea level (msl). The airplane turned left to a southeast heading and continued to climb through 1,700 ft before it started to descend. The last recorded location was about 1.86 miles from the accident site at an altitude of about 825 ft msl. The Terrebonne Parish Coroner’s Officer, Houma, Louisiana, conducted an autopsy on the pilot. The cause of death listed traumatic injuries, and the manner of death was ruled an accident. Toxicology was conducted on specimens from the pilot. Samples were negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and glucose. Of the tested substances, metoprolol was detected. Metoprolol (Lopressor) is a beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure and is acceptable for FAA medical certification. The pilot’s family was unable to locate his logbook during the investigation. The accident site was located in marshy terrain about 7 miles southwest of HUM. The first ground signatures were consistent with the main landing gear. The ground scar continued from the initial impact point towards and through a line of trees for about 40 yards. The main wreckage came to rest on the opposite side of the trees and included the empennage, fuselage, and both wings. Both wings and the engine separated during the impact sequence. The forward fuselage, to include the cabin and instrument panel, exhibited aft crush damage and was fragmented. The airplane was recovered and transported to a secure location for further examination. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to each control surface through impact and recovery separations. An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.