# NTSB FTW83FRD02: Teal TSC-1A, N2004T, Port Sulphur, LA, January 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1983, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Sulphur, LA
- Coordinates: 29.460775, -89.890571 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4608&lon=-89.8906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20767
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FRD02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20767/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FRD02

## Analysis

THE ENG LOST POWER DURING A PULL-UP FROM A LOW PASS OVER THE ARPT. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN THE ICY MISSISSIPPI RIVER WITH THE GEAR DOWN. THE AMPHIBIAN STRUCK A SUBMERGED OBJECT IN THE RIVER & FLIPPED OVER. THE PLT & PAX ATTEMPTED TO SWIM TO SHORE BUT DUE TO THE EXCEEDINGLY COLD WATER TEMPERATURE ONLY THE PLT REACHED THE BANK OF THE RIVER. THE PAX IS MISSING & PRESUMED DROWNED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear retraction - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels down landing in water - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2004T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2004T-2013-07-10), registration cancelled 2013-07-10, S/N 4, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TEAL TSC-1A
- Registry model: [Thurston TSC-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/thurston-tsc-1a) (registry code 8960404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4
- Airframe hours: 505
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Amberson M. Webb
- Registered owner: Mccurdy James W
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 27, 1983, 3 hours before
- Airport: Birdwin, runway 30, 2,200 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: right; flight hours: 612 total, 28 in this make and model, 561 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19830106013009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830106013009A), Jan 6, 1983: Teal TSC1A, Port Sulphur, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit on climbout over a river. Landed amphibian in water with gear down. Flipped over. Passenger drowned.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.