FTW83FA259

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 180J · Harvey, LA · June 1, 1983

Accident · FatalField investigationFinal report
Date
June 1, 1983, 08:35 local (13:35 UTC)
Place
Harvey, LA
Injuries
2 fatal
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N52072Cessna 180J
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19830601022029A
Case key
20731

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Abrupt maneuverTakeoff - initial climb
Procedures/directives - not followedPilot in commandFactor
QualificationPilot in commandFactor
Supervision - improperPilot in commandCause
Terrain condition - high obstruction(s)Factor
Pull-up - excessivePassengerCause
Loss of control - in flightManeuvering
Airspeed - not maintainedCause
Remedial action - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Stall - inadvertentPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Analysis

A navigable waterway, Harvey canal, was being used as a seaplane base. In that area, a set of power lines were suspended over the canal by 2 tall towers. The lowest line over the canal was 160 ft above the canal surface, but the lines dropped to heights of down to 60 ft over land. The normal procedure for a south takeoff was to fly under the linesafter lift-off or to turn & cross over the lines where they are low to the ground. While taking off, the acft was observed to climb normally to aprx 30 ft AGL, then began to accelerate. Aprx 500 ft north of the power lines, the acft entered an abrupt climb & reportedly went to a near vertical attitude. It then rotated about the left wing & descended vertically into the canal, impacting aprx 100 ft north of the power lines. An exam revealed no evidence of a preimpact malfunction or failure. An investigation revealed that the plt had been giving flt instruction to the passenger. It was not verified who had pulled the acft up, but the plt's normal procedure was to fly under the wires.

Aircraft

Registration
N52072
Reported as
Cessna 180J
Category
Airplane
Serial number
18052480
Airframe hours
4,190
Engine
Continental O-470-R, 230 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Part 135
Operator
Harvey Canay Seaplane Service
Registered owner
John Ales
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Utility
Last inspection
100 hour · May 25, 1983 · 14 hours before
Destination
Grand Isle, LA
Flight plan
Company VFR

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
33
Certificate
Airline transport
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Single-engine sea, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Toxicology
Performed
Flight hours
6,112 total · 5,832 as pilot in command · 60 in the last 90 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
50° at 6 knots
Visibility
7 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
3,200 ft overcast
Temperature
68 °F, dew point 61 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
MSY, 10 nm away

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.