# NTSB FTW83LA069: Cessna A185F, N121BJ, New Orleans, LA, December 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1982, 14:02 local (20:02 UTC)
- Place: New Orleans, LA
- Coordinates: 29.940942, -90.069999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9409&lon=-90.0700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71987/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA069

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENG QUIT WHILE THE AMPHIBIOUS ACFT WAS OVER THE CITY. THE ACFT HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO REACH THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER & THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE LEFT MAIN TANK CONTAINED 14 GALS OF FUEL & NO USABLE FUEL WAS IN THE RIGHT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N121BJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N121BJ-2005-08-03), registration cancelled 2005-08-03, S/N 18502618, built 1974 (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
- Serial number: 18502618
- Airframe hours: 2926
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Blackjack Seaplane Charter, In
- Registered owner: David L. Duplantier
- Departed: C, CROWN POINT, LA
- Destination: C, COVINGTON, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,400 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 6,160 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 171 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NEW

## 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 19821227066939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821227066939A), Dec 27, 1982: Cessna A185F, New Orleans, LA, Substantial damage. Engine quit over city. Struck wires light pole and an auto landing on a street. One empty tank. No mechanical.

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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