# NTSB FTW83LA345: Cessna A185F, N4959Q, Houma, LA, July 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1983, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Houma, LA
- Coordinates: 29.58012, -90.810432 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5801&lon=-90.8104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20984
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA345
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20984/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA345

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - roll/run
  - maintenance - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SUBMERGED IN WATER. AFTER IT WAS SALVAGED & REPAIRED, A FERRY PERMIT WAS OBTAINED TO FLY IT TO AMARILLO, TX. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AFTER THE 1ST 50 FT OF THE GROUND ROLL DURING TAKEOFF. HOWEVER. THE PLT CONTINUED TAKEOFF & USED ABOUT 3000 FT OF RWY TO GET AIRBORNE. HE THEN TURNED & FLEW BACK OVER THE ARPT AT ABOUT 500 FT WITH THE ENG STILL RUNNING ROUGH. THE PLT CIRCLED & FLEW OVER THE ARPT AGAIN WITH THE ENG STILL RUNNING ROUGH. AFTER THAT, THE ACFT DEPARTED THE TRAFFIC AREA AS IF THE PLT WAS GOING TO CONTINUE THE FLT TO AMARILLO. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ENG LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION & THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE USED ALCOHOL IN A FUEL INJECTED ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4959Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503586
- Airframe hours: 1218
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Willard A. Innes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 1983
- Destination: AMA, AMARILLO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUM

## 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 19830722034619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830722034619A), Jul 22, 1983: Cessna A185F, Houma, LA, Destroyed. Engine quit and crash occurred during emergency landing. Aircraft was submerged in water previous to this flight.

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.