# NTSB FTW83LA167: Cessna 185F, N61826, Int.Coastal Cty, LA, March 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1983, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Int.Coastal Cty, LA
- Coordinates: 29.969114, -92.120101 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9691&lon=-92.1201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA167

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wheels down landing in water - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS NOT RETRACTED AFTER TAKEOFF FROM THE AIRPORT. WHEN THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON WATER THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER AND SANK. THE LANDING GEAR ARE BUILT INTO THE FLOATS AND DURING THE RETRACTION CYCLE THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTS INTO THE FLOATS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N61826 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18504263
- Airframe hours: 936
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Paul Fornet Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 1, 1983, 36 hours before
- Departed: LFT, LAFAYETTE, LA
- Destination: VERMILLION BAY, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19830327012569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830327012569A), Mar 27, 1983: Cessna 185F, Vermillion Bay, LA, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted water landing with gear down and aircraft flipped inverted.

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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