# NTSB FTW79FA097: Cessna A185F, N4616E, Lafayette, LA, July 20, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 20, 1979
- Place: Lafayette, LA · LAFAYETTE, LA
- Location: 30.2241° N, 92.0198° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lafayette, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2241&lon=-92.0198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 15, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135283
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79FA097
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA097

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1808  79/7/20    LAFAYETTE,LA        CESSNA A185F        CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 36, 2672
        TIME - 0203                    N4616E              PX-  0  0  0  FERRY                     TOTAL HOURS, 240 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LAFAYETTE RGNL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ST LOUIS,MO                 LAFAYETTE,LA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALTIMETER SETTING-INCORRECT
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - PILOT FATIGUE
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               0
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/2 MILE OR LESS                                         NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          GROUND FOG                                                75
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           30                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          BELOW MINIMUMS                                           NONE
        REMARKS- PLT FLEW 10HRS IN LAST 24.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4616E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4616E-2012-08-20), registration cancelled 2012-08-20, S/N 18503816, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Lafayette Rgnl

## 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 19790720017999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790720017999A), Jul 20, 1979: Cessna A185F, Lafayette, LA, Destroyed. Made instrument appch in below minimum weather with minimal radio equipment. Hit trees 1/2 mile short of runway.

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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