# NTSB DEN91LA036: Cessna 180K, N63130, Patterson, LA, January 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1991, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Patterson, LA
- Coordinates: 29.689126, -91.300468 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6891&lon=-91.3005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18068
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18068/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA036

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY AN UNSAFE OR HAZARDOUS CONDITION.  FACTORS WERE:  ROUGH WATER AND HIGH WINDS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TRIED THREE TIMES TO TAKE OFF AND ABORTED EACH ATTEMPT DUE TO ROUGH SEA.  HE THEN NOTICED THE LEFT FLOAT WAS SINKING DUE TO SEVERAL MISSING BILGE PLUGS.  AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE, HE ATTEMPTED TO PUMP OUT THE FLOAT AND PLUG THE HOLES WITH WADDED PAPER.  WHEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO LIST, HE TOLD HIS PASSENGERS TO DON LIFE VESTS.  THE PASSENGERS EXITED THE AIRPLANE AND TRIED TO STOP WATER SEEPAGE INTO THE RIGHT FLOAT. WHEN THEY LOOKED AROUND FOR THE PILOT, HE HAD DISAPPEARED.  HE WAS LAST SEEN HOLDING ONTO HIS LIFE VEST AND TREADING WATER.  HE IS PRESUMED DROWNED. HIS INFLATED LIFE VEST WAS RECOVERED.  THE PASSENGERS WERE RESCUED BY A PASSING SHIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63130](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63130), registered now, S/N 18052831 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K
- Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052831
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Aquatic Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aquatic Aviation, Inc.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,000 total, 125 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910118000819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910118000819A), Jan 18, 1991: Cessna 180K, Patterson, LA, Minor damage, 1 fatal. Unable to take off due rough water. Taxiing to lee of shore. Float plugs came off. Pilot drowned trying pump floats

## Other investigations on N63130 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR23LA353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA353), Sep 21, 2023: Cessna 180K (N63130), Monument Valley, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control after encountering a wind gust on the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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